Kwame Brown-Pau Gasol Trade: What Now?

Impact of Lakers-Grizzlies Trade Continues
By Jonathan Downing

Now that we've got 24 hours behind us, the talk is turning from "Memphis is the stupidest team in the history of sport," to discussion on how this impacts other teams (outside of the Lakers) and the East and West.

First of all, there is considerable chatter about how Chicago was the big loser in this deal (next to Memphis, of course).

Da' Bulls

Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune discusses the trade in his column, "Joke of a deal ... to the Bulls."

"The ripple effect of the deal also reaches the Bulls, as it appeared the Lakers were the most likely suitor for Ben Wallace and offering Kwame Brown's expiring contract. Now it's unlikely the Bulls will deal Wallace this season.

"The Gasol trade is especially a blow to the Bulls, who had been most linked to Gasol, and suggests they are unlikely to make any significant move this season. Before the season, Bulls players indicated they were distracted by trade talk involving Bryant. Now that there's unlikely to be any movement, will they play better?"

Smith also wonders if David Stern could have arranged this.

David Stern Is Happy

Ben Sanders, sports editor for the Peru Tribune, also mentions David Stern in that this trade could make the Lakers a powerhouse again—just as the Celtics have become the beast of the east. Makes you remember the great rivalries of the past...

"The winner of this deal is undoubtedly the Lakers. The loser is every other team in the NBA. Los Angeles has put itself among the favorites to win a championship this year, and with Gasol joining a nucleus of Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and emerging young center Andrew Bynum, the Lakers could be a force for years to come.

"And of course, when the Lakers win, the NBA wins. The league's most marketable franchise, led by one of its biggest superstars, could be in the Finals again soon.

Certainly this deal is going to pique the interest of not only casual fans in L.A., but also casual fans in Spain, who will get to watch their nation's best player compete for a title. David Stern has to be thrilled."

Utah Doesn't Like the Trade Either

The Utah Jazz's Deron Williams wasn't happy with the trade as it empowers western rival LA as reported in today's Salt Lake Tribune:

"I don't know what Memphis is trying to do to us,'' Williams said. "Trade him to the East. They're in the Western Conference, aren't they, last time I checked, right?"

It's All About the Benjamins (kinda)

Mike McGraw from Chicago's Daily Herald explains today that although the Bulls wanted Pasol and were in near-constant talks with the Spaniard, payroll was the big issue.

"Simply put, the Bulls aren't in position to take on Gasol because they already have an inflated payroll. Next season, they are committed to paying Ben Wallace $14.5 million, Kirk Hinrich $10 million and Nocioni around $7.5 million. Assuming they re-sign restricted free agents Deng and Ben Gordon to deals starting at $10 million, that makes $52 million committed to five players.

"Add Gasol's $15.1 million salary, and the Bulls would be moving well beyond the current luxury-tax threshold of $67.9 million, unless they were able to unload some payroll somehow."

Lakers Dynasty Begins

The Sporting News reports that there is a new King of the West and perhaps in the entire league. It could mean that the Celtics rise to the top lasted about a half year. Stan McNeal writes that the Lakers have the best lineup now and other teams need to worry:

"Check this starting five: Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and now, after Friday's stunning trade, Pau Gasol. Is there a better starting five in the conference? I don't think so. In the league? Maybe the Pistons. Maybe.

"Certainly, no other team can boast a pair of 7-footers like Bynum and Gasol. While most teams are going small these days, the Lakers are going Twin Towers old school. These 7-footers complement each other, too."

Blackout in Memphis?

Bob Keisser from the Long Beach Press-Telegram made me laugh in his column today. Just another bewildered sports columnist writing about the trade:

"The Lakers' trade Friday is another indication that people no longer read newspapers. Or possibly, that there's a news blackout in Memphis no one told us about.

"How else to explain why the Memphis Grizzlies would make a trade in which they willingly obtain Kwame Brown, widely considered one of the worst first overall picks in NBA history, and give up anything in value?"