Random thoughts: Would Artest make up for losing Ariza AND Odom?

There are a lot of little things going on… but nothing gigantic.  So I'm resorting to random, bulleted points with brief thoughts.  Hey… if it's a good enough cop out for guys like Dan Shaughnessy… it's good enough for me.

• Word is… there's no movement between the Lakers and Lamar Odom in their contract talks.  If Odom walks… where does that put the Lakers?  Second in the West?  Worse?  (via Lex Nihil Novi)
• What's Marc Cuban smoking and where can I get some of it?  $8 million a year for 3 years to lock up Jason Kidd?  Marcin Gortat at the FULL mid level?  And now the rumors that he's looking for Shawn Marion in a sign and trade deal?  I'm sorry… even if you make that happen, Kidd, Gortat and Marion aren't enough to put you past the Spurs or Lakers… or maybe even Houston and Portland.
• I hope LeBron James is telling the truth about staying with Cleveland after 2010.  I want to see the mad scramble by every team that has positioned itself for the LeBron sweepstakes suddenly get desperate.  If nothing else, it will highlight why the Celtics going for it now makes the most sense.  How many teams are screwed by sacrificing now for later?  Maybe if they approached things with more urgency, their fans wouldn't be treated to perennial suckiness.
• Congrats to Ray Allen and wife Shannon on the birth of their son Wynn Ryder Allen.  Wynn was born June 26th.
• Boston continues to express its giddiness about the Sheed signing.  I've got nothing to add other to say LET'S START THE SEASON RIGHT NOW!
• The Knicks are offering Grant Hill a 1 year deal for a portion of their Mid-Level Exception.  I don't know why Grant would want to spend the year in NY, when they're barely going to be a playoff team.  I like the Knicks going for some veteran stability.  It shows that the organization is actually turning itself around.  But this is the wrong time for Grant to sign with them.  I can see if he chooses Boston, Cleveland or Orlando… but not NY at this stage of his career.
• The Celtics are apparently interested in CJ Miles.  But for what… as a back up to Grant HIll?  Or are they looking to clear some roster space?  They can probably find some combination of players that includes Tony Allen that would work.  Then they can open up a slot to sign someone down the road if someone gets hurt.

If you plan on checking out the C's summer league game at 3… listen closely.  I've gotten Red's Army plugged during 2 games yesterday.  I'm going to see if I can make it on again today.