Hopefully, these two smile together in the near future. From Media Daily LA.

For most of the season, I approached the lockout like it was a distant fantasy. It was an imagination, similar to when I was younger, in about seventh and eighth grade, and didn’t want to let it dawn on me that I was indeed growing up and having to prepare to enter high school. That type of feeling, where you don’t what to recognize the clear fact that things are completely changing, is what helped to lead me through this year almost oblivious to what would follow. And I imagine most fans had that same feeling.

But, like others, I now know to some extent what’s coming. Here’s how I came to.

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Sam Amick reported on SI.com that the Sixers were having talks with both the Lakers and Minnesota about trades for Iguodala. With the Timberwolves, the talks focused around the second pick. No surprise there. But the Lakers? Yes, the Lakers:

The 76ers are continuing to explore trade options for Andre Iguodala, and league sources said that a deal with the Lakers involving Lamar Odom has been discussed recently.

While it’s unclear whether the deal has real potential or is still alive, it’s yet another sign that the Sixers are determined to land an impact player while improving their salary-cap situation in any trade for their second-leading scorer and top defender.

Yes, we’ve heard this before. Lamar Odom would be good for the team but, ultimately, a redundant player with Thad Young and Brand playing the same spots. But his talent and versatility is undeniable, and a trade for Odom should not be dismissed without further research, which would need to be done if the trade goes through.

However, I doubt the current form goes through, given this:

The deal would have to include another Lakers player in order to work under salary-cap rules. One of the sources said the Lakers might include small forward Ron Artest, who will be paid $21.7 million over the next three seasons and has an early-termination option for 2013-14

I’m not sure whether to be excited or petrified at this possibility. But with Artest’s contract involved, I doubt that the Sixers take the deal. Artest’s contract, as it stands, is bad. And it won’t help the cap situation enough to sacrifice getting something of long-term value.