NBA Trade Deadline 2012: 7 Pau Gasol Trades the Lakers Should Seriously Consider
It seems like the most discussed trade rumors (that don't involve Dwight Howard) somehow involve the Lakers.
After the NBA nixed the Chris Paul-to-the-Lakers trade, Lamar Odom didn't take the news well, so he asked for a trade. Odom was eventually shipped to Dallas for a first-round pick.
Gasol probably didn't take the news too well either, but he handled the situation much more professionally. But since the trade, rumors about Gasol being traded are still rampant.
Gasol still has high value and could bring back some decent value to help address the Lakers' needs.
Here are several trade scenarios the Lakers should consider.
And, yes, dear Laker fans...Dwight Howard is involved.
Trade Gasol to Minnesota
1 of 7Los Angeles Lakers get: Michael Beasley (from Minnesota) and Raymond Felton (from Portland).
Minnesota Timberwolves get: Pau Gasol (from Los Angeles).
Portland Trailblazers get: Wesley Johnson and Luke Ridnour (from Minnesota).
Why the Lakers do it: The Lakers would fill the biggest holes in their lineup—point guard and small forward. Felton has been struggling in Portland, but is still an immediate upgrade over Derek Fisher and Steve Blake. Beasley has apparently worn out his welcome in Minnesota and could use a change of scenery. Being paired with Kobe in Los Angeles could really help him.
Why the T'wolves do it: The T'wolves move out the troubled Beasley, the struggling Johnson, and the expendable Ridnour for Gasol, who paired with Kevin Love, would give the T'wolves one of the best frontlines in the league.
Why the Blazers do it: The Blazers replace the struggling Felton with the more consistent Ridnour and also bring in another wing player who can be moved later if he doesn't work out.
Trade Gasol to Minnesota (but Bring Back Devin Harris)
2 of 7Los Angeles Lakers get: Devin Harris (from Utah), Michael Beasley and Martell Webster (from Minnesota).
Minnesota Timberwolves get: Pau Gasol (from Los Angeles) and a first-round pick from Utah.
Utah Jazz get: Jose Calderon (from Toronto).
Toronto Raptors gets: Derrick Williams (from Minnesota) and Steve Blake (from Los Angeles).
Why the Lakers do it: The Lakers get a former All-Star in Harris, who could rejuvenate himself in L.A. Beasley (like I wrote in the previous trade) helps fill the Lakers need at small forward. Webster gives them a young swingman to come off the Lakers currently useless bench.
Why the T'wolves do it: (See previous trade).
Why the Jazz do it: The Jazz swap the struggling Harris for Calderon. Calderon would likely be a better fit, due to his pass-first mentality.
Why the Raptors do it: The Raptors move Calderon and finally get the small forward they've been pining for. They bring in Blake to back up Jerryd Bayless, who they can really examine during the rest of the season.
Trade Gasol to New Jersey
3 of 7Los Angeles Lakers get: Dwight Howard (from Orlando), Deron Williams (from New Jersey) and Amir Johnson (from Toronto).
New Jersey Nets get: Pau Gasol (from Los Angeles) and Jose Calderon (from Toronto).
Orlando Magic get: Andrew Bynum and a first-round pick (from Los Angeles), 2 first-round picks (from New Jersey) and a first round pick (from Toronto).
Toronto Raptors get: Mehmet Okur (from New Jersey), Steve Blake (from Los Angeles) and a first-round pick (from Orlando).
Why the Lakers do it: They get Howard and Williams (and Johnson to come off the bench). Why would they not do this deal?
Why the Nets do it: The Nets are likely to lose Williams, so they need to get something back for him. They get a star, in Gasol, who they can sell to the Brooklyn fans and Calderon to run the point and spread the ball around to Gasol and Brook Lopez. They also move the noncontributing Mehmet Okur.
Why the Magic do it: The Magic move Howard, who at this more is more of a distraction than anything else. They replace him with the second-best center in the league in Bynum and get several first-round picks they can use in the loaded 2012 draft.
Why the Raptors do it: The Raptors move the major contracts of Calderon and Johnson, bringing in the expiring contract of Okur and Blake to back up Jerryd Bayless.
Trade Gasol to Utah
4 of 7Los Angeles Lakers get: Al Jefferson and Devin Harris.
Utah Jazz get: Pau Gasol, Steve Blake and Darius Morris.
Why the Lakers do it: The Lakers get the point guard they need in Harris and replace Gasol with a younger (but almost as skilled) big man in Jefferson.
Why the Jazz do it: They move the struggling Harris and replace Jefferson with Gasol, giving them a big-time star and a go-to scorer in the clutch. They also get Blake and Morris to try out at the point.
Trade Gasol to Atlanta
5 of 7The Los Angeles Lakers get: Josh Smith and Kirk Hinrich.
The Atlanta Hawks get: Pau Gasol and Darius Morris.
Why the Lakers do it: The Lakers reportedly had interest in Hinrich earlier in the year and Smith would provide some much-needed energy, rebounding and defense.
Why the Hawks do it: Hinrich hasn't done much for the Hawks since coming back from injury, so losing him wouldn't be much of an impact. Smith seems tired of Atlanta, often clashing with coach Larry Drew. Moving him for Gasol seems like an obvious decision. Gasol can help take some pressure off Joe Johnson and will form a great frontline with Al Horford when he returns from his injury.
Trade Gasol to Boston
6 of 7Los Angeles Lakers get: Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal (from Boston).
Boston Celtics get: Pau Gasol (from Los Angeles Lakers), Mo Williams, Trey Thompkins and a first-round pick (from the Los Angeles Clippers).
Los Angeles Clippers get: Ray Allen (from Boston) and Andrew Goudelock (from Los Angeles Lakers).
Why the Lakers do it: The Lakers get a superstar in Rondo, who can run the point and bring new life to the Lakers. They also get the expiring deal of O'Neal.
Why the Celtics do it: The Celtics move the sometimes-troubling Rondo and bring back Gasol to give them a strong post presence and Williams, giving them a versatile scoring threat to come off the bench.
Why the Clippers do it: The Clippers swap Williams for Allen (the better player) who takes Chauncey Billups' place in the line-up, giving them the veteran shooting guard they covet.
Trade Gasol to Houston (Original, I Know)
7 of 7Los Angeles Lakers get: Luis Scola, Kyle Lowry, and Hasheem Thabeet.
Houston Rockets get: Pau Gasol and Matt Barnes.
Why the Lakers do it: The Lakers get to very good players in Scola and Lowry....and have to take on Thabeet, who they can amnesty later. Scola gives the Lakers a strong inside scorer to replace Gasol and get the point guard they need in Lowry.
Why the Rockets do it: It's no secret that the Rockets covet Gasol. They do lose 2 good starters in Scola and Lowry, but pairing Gasol with Kevin Martin and Samuel Dalembert could really cause problems for opposing teams in the playoffs.
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