Lakers Trade Rumors: Dealing Pau Gasol to Rockets Without Kyle Lowry Makes Sense

The Los Angeles Lakers need a point guard and fans would love to see Kyle Lowry…but it’s not happening.

The Houston Rockets have made it clear that the fifth-year guard isn’t going anywhere.

ESPN’s Chad Ford said in recent chat that while Lowry isn’t available, that doesn’t mean other valuable assets aren’t:

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I think we've written for like the past four years that the most active guy on trade deadline day is Daryl Morey. He's made a number of moves over the years ... but what everyone is really asking is ... when is the big one. When is the year that the Rockets package their diverse assets and land that player that puts them into contention. They'll shop Martin, Scola and their young guys, but I'm just not sure that gets them a stud. Gasol? Maybe.

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The Lakers need to pounce all over this. Toss in Goran Dragic and a draft pick and this draft would benefit L.A. instantly.

A dirty little secret that Laker fans are unconsciously aware of is that the difference between Scola and Gasol really isn’t that great. Sure, Gasol is a better scorer, but not by that much. Gasol’s 16.8 average is only slightly better than Scola’s 15.3. They are shooting virtually the same percentage (50) and Scola plays seven minutes fewer per game.

The difference is that Scola is a much more physical defensively. He strikes fear into certain opponents unlike Gasol, who has battled the “soft” label for the better part of his career.

Considering both players are 31, the only major difference is salaries. Gasol is owed $38.25M over the two years remaining on his deal, while Scola is owe roughly $30.6M for the next three years. Essentially, the Lakers would be getting an extra year while playing almost $8M less.

With the tight salary cap restrictions and Kobe Bryant’s mammoth contract, this makes a ton of sense for the future of the franchise.

Adding Martin relieves some of the scoring pressure off Kobe’s shoulders and finally the team would have a reliable three-point threat. Sure, his defense stinks, but letting his man blow by him with Bynum and Scola in the paint certainly helps.

While Dragic is no Lowry, remember how badly he torched the Lakers as a member of the Phoenix Suns in the 2010 postseason? He can create penetration in the lane and has strong court vision as well. He is a huge upgrade over Steve Blake.

I know it goes against the grain to suggest the Lakers make a deal that doesn’t involve a strong starting point guard, but Lowry simply isn’t available to the purple and gold right now.  

ESPN’s Marc Stein reiterates that GM Daryl Morey will not be giving up Lowry in any deal involving Gasol:

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Sources say that the Houston Rockets remain adamant that they won't surrender Kyle Lowry for Gasol, no matter how much they like the big man, but it's likewise still true that L.A. lusts for an elite point guard to pair with Bryant and has made it known around the league that it's willing to surrender Gasol to get one.

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It’s not going to happen, but that doesn’t mean a trade can’t be worked out. The Lakers need to stop obsessing with the point guard issues and take advantage of a real opportunity to get better.

This is their best bet to not only get better this season…but for the foreseeable future. 

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