NBA Rumors: Why the 76ers Need to Trade Andre Iguodala for Pau Gasol

Andre Iguodala trade rumors are swirling around the NBA, via Alex Kennedy of HOOPSWORLD, and the All-Star could draw interest from a number of teams.

The Lakers could be interested in the Sixers small forward. 

Philadelphia had a very impressive playoff run, beating the top-seeded Bulls in six games and taking the fourth-seeded Celtics to seven games. However, their magical run has ended, and the young, talented 76ers must wait until next year.

From the playoffs, we noticed strengths and weaknesses from the team. Philadelphia's defense was phenomenal, with Evan Turner and Iguodala anchoring the D. The 76ers made clutch shots and found many different ways to win.

But then, there are the weaknesses.

Spencer Hawes played very well in Games 3 and 4 against Chicago, becoming the first Sixer center since Moses Malone to score 20 points in back-to-back playoff games. However, against Boston, his weaknesses became visible.

The Celtics, the NBA's worst regular-season rebounding team, did better on the glass than the 76ers.

Hawes, Elton Brand and Lavoy Allen couldn't handle Kevin Garnett down low, as the Celtic power forward snagged 11-plus rebounds in six of the seven games. Even though the trio didn't get that many minutes, each only grabbed 10 boards once in the seven-game series.

To fix that weakness, the 76ers need a reliable big man who can grab rebounds and put back second-chance opportunities. The guy to do that is Laker power forward and center Pau Gasol.

Gasol will be playing the role of trade bait for the Lakers until he actually gets moved. Gasol has been surrounded by rumors for months. If the Lakers do trade him, they're probably trying to lure a 1, a 2 or a 3 to Hollywood.

The guy they want is Andre Iguodala.

Iguodala brings great perimeter defense, good clutch scoring and solid all-around numbers to the table. The Lakers current small forward, Metta World Peace, is also great at defense, but he has a habit of getting suspended.

If the Lakers decide to keep World Peace, Iggy could be a shooting guard or even point guard. However, if this trade does happen, World Peace would likely be shipped to Philly for another Sixer.

While the Lakers would snag a guy they like, the 76ers would take a giant step forward in their push for a championship.

Gasol would be the guy to grab the big rebounds on offense and defense. In the regular season, Gasol averaged 10.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, proving he can get the ball back out to the perimeter if he's trapped.

As a Sixer, Gasol would probably be happy. Laker fans booed him and Kobe Bryant criticized him. He'd have more freedom and less complaining in Philly, where the players like to joke around and have fun, even during games.

And that would likely shoot his numbers upward.

In Game 7 of the Lakers-Nuggets series, Gasol grabbed an amazing 11 offensive rebounds. He had five offensive rebounds on one possession, as he kept missing tip-ins (but he finished with two points). On the next possession, he put back another miss.

Without Bynum grabbing half of the rebounds, Gasol's rebounding numbers would probably go up. And his rebounding will be important. Philadelphia is a team that has young, energetic players who play great D, but they miss a lot of shots.

Enter Gasol, and they'll score a few more points per game (second-chance points).

Overall, this trade helps both sides. The Lakers will still have size down low with Andrew Bynum, and they'd pick up a great defensive player in Iguodala (and another Sixer, if they gave up World Peace).

Philadelphia would have the size down low to compliment their great perimeter players. Jrue Holiday, who likes to penetrate and pass, would have a great option down low to help his assist totals go up. With an experienced veteran helping him out, he could blossom into a star, and the same goes with Evan Turner.

And while the Lakers would still have a good chance at a title, the 76ers would have all the pieces in place to win it all.