We were all pretty surprised to see how quickly the Pau Gasol-to-the-Lakers thing came together. Usually there are days of rumors leading up to something like this (see: Kidd, Jason), but this came down almost out of nowhere. That being said, the general consensus around here was "Wow," but here are some more in-depth reactions to the big trade.
Tom Ziller: This is way, way better than getting Kidd. And it sort of makes all that Chris Webber talk look silly. Everyone knows the Laker hole was up front until Bynum returns, and there's not a player on the market better to fill it right now than Gasol. Even the inside defense should be fine by the time Bynum returns for the postseason, and this could now be a top-3 offense.
Will Brinson: Okay, initially, I thought this was maybe a little too much. Then I realized I'm an idiot. The Lakers don't need the draft picks and if they keep this team together those picks will be late anyway. I still like the deal from the Grizzlies side of things though, because they get a very good young player (at least one I think will be good) in Crittenton, Kwame clears a ton of cap space and they have ample picks to begin maneuvering for draft position. I will admit as a Bynum fan/fantasy owner I'm a little nervous just because, well, because I'm paranoid. If he's healthy though, it won't matter and the Lakers suddenly might be favorites to win the West.
Matt Watson: I'm curious what the next move is for Memphis: Mike Conley, Kyle Lowry and now Javaris Crittenton? That's a lot of young point guards. Do they bide their time until the summer or make another move now?
Also, don't completely discount the value of picks. Everyone praised Joe Dumars for getting Rasheed Wallace for next to nothing in 2004, but what people don't remember is that Detroit also gave up the pick that eventually became Josh Smith. I still think Detroit came out ahead in that deal (a title justifies anything), but it's not as lopsided as it once looked. Who knows, maybe that happens for the Grizzlies, especially since they have two picks to strike rich.
Ziller: It doesn't hurt their own pick for this year, either. But all the recent talk about fire sales, what's the last midseason trade which sent a team straight into a wealth of ping pong balls like this one? I mean, this is equivalent to Milwaukee sitting Redd, Bogut and Villanueva last year. Memphis went from the 4-8 range to a legit shot at knocking off Miami or Minnesota. (No offense to Rudy Gay, of course.)
Me: I think the Lakers basically gave up nothing and got something pretty darned good in return. Kwame plays like a vacuum cleaner (lots of sucking), and Crittenton might be good someday but the Lakers are fine at the guard spot with Farmar and Fisher. And draft picks? Whatever. Kobe's nearing the end of his prime, the Lakers need to win NOW. And with a healthy starting lineup of Kobe, Fisher, Odom, Bynum, and Gasol, I think they're in a great position to do exactly that.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-01-2008 @ 4:54PM
MC Welk said...
Critt will move to the 2, Gay to the 3.
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2-01-2008 @ 4:54PM
Martin said...
Getting rid of Kwame Brown and his contract is a huge plus. Sorry to lose Crittenton as he is taller than Farmar, appears quicker than Farmar, and in a couple of years, could be a fantastic point guard. But overall, with the injury to Bynum, the Lakers drastically needed someone who can catch the ball and score in the low post, and Gasol should be that someone. Although frequently it takes a while for players to adjust to a new team, this should assure the Lakers of making the playoffs, and upon Bynum's return, doing some real damage in the playoffs. (As I recall, the Lakers also own the rights to Pau's younger brother, which should be interesting.)
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2-01-2008 @ 5:16PM
frank said...
The best " MOVE" the Lakers made in a while now instead of being pretenders they will be contenders bring Duncan and the Spurs and this time it will be very different same with Boston and KG or any other team that has a big man such Dallas and Dirk and so on and so on the missing piece is in place .
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2-01-2008 @ 5:54PM
Ran D said...
Pau's younger brother Marc was actually apart of this trade.
The full trade is:
Lakers Receive:
Pau Gasol
Grizzlies' 2nd round pick in 2010
Grizzlies Receive:
Kwame Brown
Javaris Crittenton
Aaron McKie
Lakers' 1st round pick in 2008
Lakers' 1st round pick in 2010
The rights to Marc Gasol
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2-01-2008 @ 6:08PM
ThaBigWheels said...
...I live in Memphis, and I'm a Gasol fan. He has skills, enjoyed watching him mature. I believe he will improve his play, now that he is not the go to guy. The Griz are obviously in a blow-it-up mode and this too will be interesting. I'll never be a laker fan but will look forward to watching Pau's progression and impact. Pau.....release your inner cave man and good things will happen! Spokes
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2-01-2008 @ 8:22PM
bryant scott said...
Thank you, Jesus (now just a little help with my student loans). But Are you serious? Biggest NBA trade since Shaq went East. How did Kupchak keep this quiet? Now the pressure's on Kobe to deliver rings. No excuses, especially if Bynum's knee is okay. When it's all said and done, Lakers should win 3 - 4 rings with this current roster. Now please send money for student loans, Jesus. Amen!!!
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2-01-2008 @ 8:26PM
Joel said...
In Chicago, Paxson has been trying to trade for Gasol for at least 2 years. I guess we'll have to wait another few years till he figures out that Deng, Gordon et al are losers.
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2-01-2008 @ 8:27PM
JOHNNY DEBAY said...
i am jacked up, where did this come from with all the media attention in la. we now have a player that shows up every night ( unlike lamar odom). now if someone does not show up we now have a ace in the hole.tading kwame brown is a godsent. he has hands like 3 year old boy. go lakers
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2-01-2008 @ 8:38PM
JOHNNY DEBAY said...
NOW I DON'T WANT HEAR NOTHING FROM KOBE ABOUT BRINGING ON SOME TALENT
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2-01-2008 @ 9:36PM
Grimace said...
Ppl please. Theres no reason to get excited. Do you honestly think Kobe is going to allow anyone, other than his cry baby self to come in here and be somebody? Your kidding right? Kobe is no team player. Not now or ever. Good luck glory hog. Now stop thinking of only yourself and try playing some team ball. Signed Kobe Bryant
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2-02-2008 @ 12:52AM
michael king said...
Kobe Hata's!! Hahahahahahah!!!!
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2-02-2008 @ 11:05AM
W. LOGAN said...
HAY YOU TWO DUMB-ASSES UP THERE, WHAT GAMES HAVE YOU ALL BEEN WATCHING. THE WHOLE LAKER TEAM HAS BEEN PLAYING TEAM BALL. YOU JACKASSES DON'T KNOW S - - T ABOUT BASKETBALL IT APPEARS, SO KICK-BACK DRINK YOUR OLD ENGLISH AND CLOSE YOUR PIE-HOLE AND YOU MIGHT LEARN A THING OR TWO.
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2-02-2008 @ 11:23AM
YeahBaby said...
I don't even care if Gasol works out well or not, GETTING RID OF KWAME is the best thing that's happened to the Lakers since...well, I just can't remember how far back we'd have to go!!!!!!!!!!!!
That said, I think Pau will be a great addition. The proverbial pressure of playing in tinseltown shouldn't bother him, because he's already been through the pressure of being the ONLY guy in town in Memphis!
There will have to be some position-adjusting when Bynum gets back because in this situation I wouldn't think it should be an either-or choice between Bynum and Gasol, you want them BOTH starting.
And now Kobe's got the talent around him he wanted, so....stay tuned!
Losing Crittenton is unfortunate, but probably worth it. Giving up the draft picks? Well, you never know how a young player is going to pan out anyway...the Lakers sure weren't going to get high picks anyway...AND, wasn't Kwame Brown a #1 pick awhile back???? Man, what were they thinking??????
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2-02-2008 @ 12:18PM
YeahBaby said...
I'd just like to add...
I wasn't meaning to sound disrespectful to the other players in Memphis...just trying to make a point about how Pau Gasol will handle the pressure in LA
Let's face it, Memphis has been struggling for years and ANY player who has consistently scored 18 points per game...not to mention his defense, etc...while other players come and go, has certainly felt the "pressure".
Just didn't want you Memphis fans yelling about having some other good players, I acknowledge each guy there for what he has, or hasn't, contributed...and some are yet to showcase all their abilities in the NBA, Gay for example...and Javaris should be a great addition to your 'team-building' process...Good Luck!
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2-02-2008 @ 12:18PM
LongTime LakerFan said...
Best mid season trade for lakers since they got Michael Thompson in the 80's to propell them past Celtics for the championship.
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2-02-2008 @ 1:24PM
Rich Levin said...
This is fantastic for the Laker fans, add a all star quality power forward to the best palyer on the planet and most promising young center and one of the deepest benches and I like the Lakers chances for the next six years or more....
Oh yeah, how old was Jordern when he won is first NBA championship???
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2-02-2008 @ 6:38PM
tom schmidt said...
Mitch Kupchak, are you reading this? The next intelligent move would be to trade Lamar Odom or Vlade Radmonovic, or both if necessary, for an Eastern team's lottery pick. The Lakers have plenty of backup at small forward with Ariza, Turiaf, and Walton, and it's time to start thinking about Kobe's eventual replacement at shooting guard.
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2-02-2008 @ 11:25PM
John said...
The Grizz also got the rights to Gasol's little brother.
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