Pau Gasol Trade, Looking Back
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It’s been about half a full season and the beginning of the first full season for Pau Gasol in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform. How has he done so far? Pretty well.
When Andrew Bynum went down last season with his knee injury, the Lakers traded Kwame Brown and two future first round picks for Pau Gasol. That is the common misconception. At the time, the trade seemed completely lopsided and looked as though the Grizzlies were strictly doing a salary dump.
But guess what? You were wrong. The Lakers also gave up Pau Gasol younger brother Marc Gasol. The younger of the two brothers was drafted by the Lakers late in the second round a few years back. After concluding his contract in Europe, he signed a 3 year deal with the Grizzlies this summer and is now ready to build his NBA resume.
In just four games with the Grizzlies, Marc Gasol is averaging 13 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 54% shooting from the field in only 30 minutes. He had his biggets and best game against the Golden State Warriors the other night with 27 points and 16 rebounds. At only about 3.3 million per season, Marc Gasol is worth every penny.
Now it makes you wonder, while Pau Gasol is only averaging 14.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1 block, and 48% shooting from the field in 36 minutes, was the trade worth it? Sure, Pau Gasol helped Kobe lead the Lakers to the NBA Finals last season and came within two wins of winning the title. However, could his brother Marc have done the same thing?
The younger Marc Gasol is extremely athletic and very big. He’s 7’1″ and 265 pounds. He is clearly more aggressive than Pau and is not afraid to use his size to dominate the paint. Marc has already been labeled as the Grizzlies Euro Thug.
By getting rid of Kwame Brown the Lakers could’ve simply had his 9 million come off the books at the end of the season. Javaris Crittenton would’ve still been with the Lakers pushing Jordan Farmar to the max. Marc Gasol still would’ve been a part of the Lakers and could’ve helped contribute this season.
At $15 million going to Pau Gasol this season, does the math really work? Was this trade worth it? Would the Lakers not get as deep into the playoffs with Marc playing power forward instead? Would Lamar Odom not work better as a starter at the power forward spot and split minutes with Marc Gasol?
There are a lot of what ifs, but only one thing is certain. The Gasol family is quite impressive!
Leave a Comment
November 6th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Without that trade, the Lakers would have more than likely not made the playoffs last season.
November 7th, 2008 at 6:14 am
Marc Gasol is a Center, no way he is able to play PF… Period!
He is not extremely athletic either…
Cheers.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I stated that Lamar Odom could’ve started at power forward and split minutes with Gasol. There is no theory that says you can’t have two centers on the court. Especially two centers that are so different like Marc Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
Regarding making the playoffs, they most likely would’ve made the playoffs either way only because of Kobe’s presence together with the sudden impact of Sasha Vujacic, but there is a chance. Imagine if the Lakers didn’t make the playoffs. They would’ve not only gotten Bynum back the following season, but also Marc Gasol in a Lakers uniform and also a top draft pick to add on!
November 11th, 2008 at 6:01 am
have you seen marc play in europe or in international competitions?
he is big and heavy, but that’s it. his numbers will go down as season goes. you’ll find him in 10pts 6reb category at the end of the year.
April 29th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Are you freaking nuts? The Pau Gasol trade was one of the more lopsided trades in the history of sports. Using Pau’s stats to show that it wasn’t is ludicrous, considering he has to share the ball with the likes of Kobe, Lamar and Bynum. Of the 4 pieces the Lakers traded, 3 of them are no longer on Memphis. It wouldn’t surprise me if Jerry West had a hand in this.
Your article is laughable. There’s nothing wrong with being a Laker fan and admitting that this was a horribly lopsided trade.
You’re either delusional, Laker superfan #1, or the biggest Marc Gasol fan in the entire universe.