This could be the question that allows us to know whether this team will truly progress to win a championship or maintain playing veterans that have "retirement imminent" written all over them.

I know I'm harsh with words. But what do you think?

I wouldn't like to be the boss paying 5.6m Walton, 6.7m Peace and 3.4m Fisher.

Of course Fisher is still a starter, but he keeps on making mistakes during the game so much that Blake will eventually get 3/4 of playing time at the PG (unless we start playing Morris...).

Walton has been useful for a couple of games, but then again, Barnes has done a great job, and having him instead of Artest starting was something even Phil Jackson should have figured out but didn't.

Signing or trading for a PG seems unlikely (Arenas) after the "Paul-Gate". Fisher can always be a mentor and perhaps deserves the most his salary.

The Lakers can waive one and have him off the tax and clear the salary cap (so far that seems to be the reason we gave Lamar Odom, 6th man of the season to the defending champions)... And with the hope that at least a small trade would boost our team we can hope that this team will have the fire power necessary to sink the best of the league in the playoffs.

We'll dream of Dwight Howard and perhaps get him next season. Gasol is over-payed at 18m and that's what may have seemed clear to the front office in last year's playoffs (Trading him for Paul can't have helped him clear air of disappointment of last year - we were after a 3-peat after all - to which he had largely contributed).

So the slightest rumour of a trade will trigger massive speculation. And then, perhaps, one of these days we'll wake-up to another Paul-like mad trade that will completely decide the fate of our team this season.

Whatever happens, go Kobe!