NBA Rumors: Dealing Pau Gasol to Atlanta Would Be Best Move for Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers might have grand designs on moving high into the first round of the 2012 NBA draft, but their best chance to improve their team for next season will be to move Pau Gasol to Atlanta for Josh Smith. 

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Hawks have been doing their best to convince the Lakers that this is a good move for both parties, though Los Angeles hasn't taken the bait.

Via the LA Times: "The Atlanta Hawks have tried to send them power forward Josh Smith for Pau Gasol, initially expressing interest in Gasol shortly after Oklahoma City eliminated the Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals, The Times has learned."

Unless the Lakers are going to give up all of their draft picks for the next four or five years, there is no way they move into the first round to take Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, whom the Times says they really covet. 

It is no secret Gasol is on the trade block. Chad Ford and Marc Stein from ESPN.com reported the Lakers are looking for a veteran and top-10 pick for Gasol. 

Assuming that deal doesn't pan out—which seems highly likely at this point—the Lakers can focus on getting younger and more athletic with a player like Smith. 

Gasol was never as bad as everyone in Los Angeles would have you believe, but it appears his time with the team is done. 

Smith has been one of the best and most underrated players for a very good Atlanta team for years. Last year, he averaged 18.8 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Working in his favor is his age, as he is going to be 27 years old in December. 

The Lakers can't object to anything right now, because they are old, slow and need to find athletes wherever they can. Smith may not be a superstar, or have the potential that someone like Kidd-Gilchrist does, but they have to be realistic about this. 

Since the Lakers don't rebuild, they have to do whatever they can to keep up with the likes of Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Memphis and the Clippers. Smith may not be everyone's perfect solution, but he is better than what they have right now. 

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