Gasol is a Laker!

By Craig Kwasniewski

The Lakers just got Pau Gasol for a bag of rocks (actually Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and draft considerations)!

I AM STUNNED!

So here are some quick thoughts on the recent transaction:

Kwame Brown is GONE!! - There's only so many dropped passes, missed layups and blown dunks that the Lakers can take. But with Bynum out for 8 weeks, the Lakers really had no other option but to play Mr. Asscheeks for Hands heavy minutes and just hope for the best. But now he's gone, along with the reminder of who the Lakers gave up for Kwame... Caron Butler of the Wiz.

Lamar Odom stays! Many people I know (the Sarge Report) want Odom gone, but I disagree. To me, he's the perfect no. 3 or 4 option for the Lakers (which became clear once Bynum became the definitive No. 1 post option). He focused on all the little things that the Lakers were sorely missing: rebounding and defense plus the occasional offensive spurts. After 4 plus years, he was finally getting it and the Lakers needed to keep him.

Mitch Kupchak is a freakin genious! I've done my share of ripping on Mitch Kupchak over the past few years, but who knew he was saving all his genious-osity (he worthy of a made up word) for the 2007-08 season. Seriously, in his first two mideason trades of his career he's shipped off Laker slugs Kwame Brown and Brian Cook for Trevor Ariza and Paul Gasol. We're talking the two worst Lakers on the roster since the Smush Parker/Devean George era! I was willing to offer those guys up for a microphone, but instead the Lakers get a top post presence (Gasol) and a very good role player (Ariza).

The Future: Will the trade make the Lakers the front runners in the west? Maybe not this season because of all the roster changes and the adjustments when Bynum and Ariza return. What this does is make the Lakers contenders for the next 3 or 4 years. When finally healthy, the Lakers are the deepest team in the NBA. Will Bynum and Gasol be able to operate together on the floor? Probably, Gasol's got a descent jumper to give Bynum the space down in the post. Will Gasol fit in the Triangle Offense? Better than Kwame Brown! And yes, the offense asks for defensive recognition, passing and spacing on the floor.. basically a decent basketball IQ. So yes, Gasol will fit. (And with the Lakers still almost 3 weeks away, I've got time to grow a nasty beard.)

Most importantly...will Kobe stay? YES!

The Roster (when healthy):

Starters:
Kobe Bryant
Derek Fisher
Lamar Odom
Pao Gasol
Andrew Bynum

Bench:

Jordan Farmar
Sasha Vujacic
Trevor Ariza
Luke Walton
Vladi Radmanovic
Ronnie Turiaf
Coby Karl
Chris Mihm's Corpse

Scary, isn't it?

Comments

[Sarge]

I guess teh Lakers made a trade and now that they got rid od teh hands of brick they should be just fine and once Andrew gets back they might be the team to beat in the west.
Now maybe Kobe will not demand to be traded and he really has the most talented group of starters in the west when everyone is healthy.

[No Blood No Foul]

I could see LA trading Odom in the off-season...he's a $13million dollar player that is more than a fourth option. There are a lot of teams that would have interest in Odom, and the skills he would provide as the fourth option (rebounding, defense, occasional scoring) could be replaced in a lesser player.

I think it will depend on how the new starters play together...if it becomes clear that Odom is nothing more than a member of the supporting cast, look for LA to trade him.

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