Mickael Pietrus Sounds Optimistic About His Free Agent Chances in 2012
By Jason McIntyre
"“A lot of teams are interested in me, like the Lakers and Celtics,” said Pietrus. “This came from the best player in the world: Kobe Bryant. He told me two months ago that he would like to see me on the Lakers.”"
Wishful thinking, dude. The Lakers need to get younger and need a scorer and a point guard, none of which Pietrus is.
Pietrus was drafted in 2003 amid some fanfare – Chad Ford strikes again! – but has never really panned out. He had one promising season with the Warriors in 2007 (career highs in minutes, points, rebounds, shooting and 3-pointers), and a nice playoff run with the Magic in 2009, but turns 30 in February and the next contract he signs will probably be his last lucrative one (in the US).
I can’t imagine the (likely) cap-strapped Lakers or Celtics going after Pietrus to play on the wing. The Hornets need to fill out the roster, so maybe they sign Pietrus to play behind Trevor Ariza, and I guess others who need a wing could throw a couple bucks at him for a few years (Clippers, Raptors, Pistons, Bobcats).