Los Angeles Lakers: Why Lakers Should Trade Back for Marc Gasol

The Los Angeles Lakers selected Marc Gasol with the 48th selection in the second round of the 2007 NBA draft. Who knew this selection would change the course of Lakers history? 

After another ugly playoff exit, Kobe Bryant forced the hand of the Lakers front office to make changes, drastic ones at that. The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Marc Gasol's older brother, power forward Pau Gasol, to form a tandem with the perimeter talent of Kobe Bryant.

The irony of such a trade, was that the Gasol brothers essentially switched places, with the younger brother heading to the Memphis Grizzlies.  

The results speak for themselves, with the Lakers winning back-to-back championships led by the Bryant-Gasol duo. 

However, this league is all about what you can do for me now, rather than past history. The Los Angeles Lakers lost at the hands of the eventual champions, the Dallas Mavericks. This ugly playoff exit opened the eyes of fans and critics alike. It begs the question, what are the elements the Lakers lack?

The return of Marc Gasol may be the answer in Hollywood. 

Health Factor

Andrew Bynum is not exactly the epitome of health. The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled to keep Andrew Bynum upright, and that doesn't seem likely to change. 

Marc Gasol has averaged a little over 77 games a season since the start of his rookie year in 2008-2009. The Lakers would finally have a consistent, healthy presence at the center position if they acquire Marc Gasol. 

Playoff Performance

Marc Gasol was simply phenomenal in the 2011 playoffs. His performances played a major role in the Memphis Grizzlies surprising success in the playoffs. 

Gasol averaged 15 points and a little over 11 rebounds a game in the playoffs. His defense, especially on Tim Duncan, was remarkable. He held the future hall of famer to less than 13 points a game in the first round, which is the lowest point average in his fabled postseason career. 

The Los Angeles Lakers measure success in postseason wins and Marc Gasol has proven to be a winner. The bigger the stage, the better the performance. Marc Gasol embodies that mantra and should fit right in with a Laker team accustomed to postseason success. 

Skill Set

Like his older brother, Marc Gasol is exceptionally skilled in the high and low post. The ambidextrous Marc Gasol has a beautiful hook shot despite his reputation as a rugged player. 

While Marc Gasol can play in the high post, he is a more natural low post presence. His tenacity and strength allows him great positioning down low. Marc Gasol also plays with great leverage and that benefits his post game. 

Both Gasol brothers are willing passers and have off the chart intelligence. Despite his rugged 7-foot frame, Marc Gasol is also surprisingly athletic. 

The Los Angeles Lakers would love to pair the two Gasol brothers in the paint. Marc Gasol would be a perfect complement to the older Gasol in Los Angeles. 

Tough and Gritty

Marc Gasol is the antithesis to the more finesse Pau Gasol. The Lakers have often been criticized for their lack of toughness, especially concerning the big men. 

Marc Gasol would not serve as the enforcer but his scrappy and ragged play should benefit a sometimes uninspired Lakers team. Lakers head coach Mike Brown would welcome Marc Gasol with open arms.  

Mobility Is Key

Head coach Mike Brown will scrap the triangle offense entirely and install a "strong corner" system. This system was used in San Antonio with Tim Duncan and David Robinson. 

The system relies on the big men to be mobile and Andrew Bynum is anything but. While Bynum has improved his passing, Marc Gasol is still the better playmaker. 

Bynum also craves scoring the basketball, while Marc Gasol is more of a situational scorer. The Los Angeles Lakers have set up the offense to go through either Kobe Bryant or Pau Gasol, which leaves Bynum with less touches.

This has caused issues within the Lakers locker room and was brought to the forefront at the conclusion of the Lakers postseason loss to the Dallas Mavericks last year.

That issue would be irrelevant with Marc Gasol in the picture.