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Memphis Did The Right Thing By Trading Gasol To The Lakers
Zina ZaflowJun 5, 2008
A couple of days ago, Michael Heisley joined the rest of the world and questioned theย wisdom of the Pau Gasol trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.
There is another way to look at this trade.
Trading Gasol, a seven-foot all-star, for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, and a pair of draft picks can't be called a fair tradeโall other things being equal.
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And there's the rub. Because all other things aren't equal.
The Grizzlies suck. With Gasol, without Gasol, whatever. They suck.
Gasol wanted OUT of Memphis. He asked for a trade in '07.
They tried to trade him then, but the league determined that they couldn't take such an expensive risk on a guy who couldn't get the job done.
By "the job", I mean "the rings". Heck, forget the rings. Just get to Round 2. Heck, just win a game in the post season. But Gasol had gone 0-12 in his playoff career.
No one was willing to takeย that $50 million risk. That's how much is left on Gasol's three-year contract. That doesn't even include the $14 million he gets for this year.
Chicagoย was willing toย tradeย Memphis Thomas, Nocioni, Griffin, and a couple of other dudes. Butย these guysย couldn't even getย CHICAGO into playoff contention.
Heisley knew that with the Chicago trade,ย he'd be stuck with the same bill and the same lackluster results.
Would you pay the same for five hot dogs as you would for aย prime cut of steak?
Memphis decided it would be better to dump the high salary and hope for better luck in the draft. They may be right. But that remains to be seen.
The way I see it, the Lakers took a risk on Gasol. When they gave up draft picks and a pair ofย young guys, theyย basically traded the future of the team to win in the present day. Match that with the fact that they picked up a hefty luxury tax and this trade seems as dangerous for them as it was for Memphis.
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And another thing:
Michael Heisley has been trying to sell the Grizzlies.
There have been noย credible offers.
That seems to be a recurring theme in his life...
