Pau Gasol Traded to Lakers
Kobe Bryants Gets More Help for an NBA Title Run
With center Andrew Bynum out for two months with injury, the Los Angeles Lakers pull off a blockbuster trade landing star forward Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Memphis Grizzlies have reportedly agreed to trade star forward Pau Gasol and a future second-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie (who's unofficially retired), the draft rights to Marc Gasol (Pau's brother) and future first-round picks in 2008 and 2010.
"We're extremely pleased to be able to make this trade," Mitch Kupchak, Lakers general manager, said in a statement. "Pau is a proven player of All-Star caliber in this league who can score and rebound and is still a young player. We feel this strengthens our team in the short term as well as the long term." [Source: Associated Press]
The deal seemed to come out of nowhere, as the Grizzlies rejected numerous offers from several other teams in the past year. Many even wonder if the Chicago Bulls, who dangled guard Ben Gordon and forward Andres Nocioni in front of them last summer hadn't made a better offer. Yet, the Grizzlies settled for the Lakers' proposal, which is a clear indication that the franchise is looking to clear cap space. Kwame Brown's $9 million contract comes off the books this summer.
In the same day, the Grizzlies also traded forward Stromile Swift to the New Jersey Nets for center Jason Collins.
For the Lakers, Gasol will likely play center until Andrew Bynum returns from injury. When Bynum does come back, it will likely slide Gasol to the power forward spot and Lamar Odom to the small forward spot. However, Odom may be more suited to play power forward. Though he's tremendously versatile and a terrific ball handler and passer, his quickness at 6-10 gives him an advantage over other power forwards. In addition, he has proven to be an effective rebounder when playing the four spot.
Gasol's a terrific offensive player, averaging about 19 ppg and 8.8 rbpg. Yet, his defense is sometimes questioned. It should be interesting to see how he gels with Bynum, whose size and arm reach give him a decided advantage when it comes to blocking shots, rebounding and clogging the lane, but whose foot speed isn't his best attribute.
In the back court, the Lakers have one of the league's most dominant players in Kobe Bryant, as well as capable point guards in Jordan Farmar and Derek Fisher.
Los Angeles is 28-16, second in the Pacific Division behind the Phoenix Suns. Though, without Bynum, they've won only five of their last 10 games. Some believe that this deal puts them into title contension.
Fantasy Spin
Expect Pau Gasol's numbers to decline with Kobe Bryant dominating the ball. The biggest fantasy winner in this will be players on the Memphis Grizzlies, especially breakout player Rudy Gay, whose averaging a career high 19.8 ppg. Mike Miller, Hakim Warrick and Darko Milicic also might benefit from the extra opportunities/playing time. Kwame Brown has a chance to shine in Memphis, but he's still recovering from injury and isn't known to have the best hands (meaning, his ability to catch the ball is weak).
