Here's how it happens.
Stern puts in the call to rig the pong balls. Not too suspicious though. Lakers get the 3rd pick instead of the 1st. They select Chris Paul. Starting PG slot filled.
Indy is threatened with an extension to Artest's suspension if they don't trade Bender and their 1st rounder to LA for Slava, George, and a 2nd rounder. The necessary trade bait is there for the following...
Larry Miller is threatened with the "strong possibility" of a franchise relocation if they don't trade Boozer to LA for Butler, Atkins, Vlade and Indy's 1st rounder. Starting PF slot filled.
Stern coerces Marko Jaric's agent to sign with LA for the MLE and assume backup 1/2 duties. He tells Jaric's agent that there will be great external opportunities for Marko to get paid double the MLE (ie: an under-the-table check from the NBA will be cut to Jaric's agent).
1 - Paul
2 - Bryant
3 - Odom
4 - Boozer
5 - Mihm
6 - Jaric
7 - 12 (crap, but nothing that Stern couldn't fix in a couple more years).
Note that most of the big contracts Mitch takes on expire in 2007, including Brian Grant's. When the time comes to clear cap room, Stern helps Mitch pull the trigger on Odom for a collection of decent filler. He then does the agent convincing routine on Amare or Yao.
Therefore, by 2007, the NBA should have the Lakers wrecking shop again. Get on it, Stern!
(^sarcasm^)
(^mass dosages^)
