Bynum Gets Extension

Andrew Bynum has reached an agreement with the Lakers on a four-year extension that will pay him about $58MM. This means Bynum will forego free agency for at least three years as the fourth year of the contract extension is an option year. This should also keep the core of the team intact, assuming Kobe Bryant stays put, for several years and essentially assures the Lakers will be a title contender for the next three or four years. Excellent signing by both sides.

Nice Start

I'm just wondering if the Lakers are really this good or if these first two games were an aberration...

Nah, they're this good! So far, so good, anyway. A 20-point beating of Portland on Tuesday night, and a 38-point annihilation of the Clips last night... both on national TV! Next victim: Denver, Saturday night.

Pre-season Notes

First, and most important, Kobe Bryant's hyper-extended knee suffered in Tuesday night's pre-season game in San Diego against Charlotte is fine and he is expected to play in tonight's pre-season game, also against Charlotte.

Sasha Vujacic, who suffered a foot injury early in training camp, is expected to see a foot specialist to determine his availability for the final two pre-season games before next Tuesday's opening night game against Portland.

The Lakers waived 2008 second round draft pick Joe Crawford, and C.J. Giles yesterday, trimming the roster down to the required 15. All indications are Coby Karl has made the opening night roster.

As of today, the roster is as follows:

Forwards: Trevor Ariza, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell, Valdimir Radmanovic, Luke Walton and Sun Yue.
Guards: Kobe Bryant, Jordan Farmar, Derek Fisher, Coby Karl and Sasha Vujacic.
Centers: Andrew Bynum, DJ Mbenga and Chris Mihm.