The Lakers acquired center Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, rights to Marc Gasol (Pau's brother) and two first round draft picks (2008 & 2010). It looks like a lot but it's trade that gets everybody what they want: the Lakers get immediate post help and a top-tier big man, the Grizzlies get Kwame Brown's expiring contract.
I'd say it's an above average trade for the Lakers. They do get short term support fro Kobe, but what no happens to Lamar Odom? Will he slide to the small forward position? Sounds unlikely. I think the Lakers are still not done dealing this year.
Another set of questions: Won't Gasol hamper Andrew Bynum's development when he comes back from an injury? If Bynum is the center and Gasol is the designated power forward, won't that create a cramped post game for the Lakers?
While it's easy to praise the trade, there may be long-term implications here:
- A Kobe trade is now virtually not happening in this lifetime;
- Lamar Odom is now expendable;
- It's a "Win Now" strategy for the Lakers' front office
- Still no long term solution for the point guard, unless Jordan Farmar develops quickly
Tags: Lakers
I, too, remain completely unconvinced about this trade. Gasol has had some injury problems and this may effect his durability as he gets older. Nevertheless the Lakers could (could) have a chance to do something in the playoffs this year, but I am not saying its necessarily going to happen.
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