21 replies to this topic

[tripleaamin]

http://insider.espn....rward-pau-gasol

Teams interested in Pau Gasol will have to contend with his contract as well as his ailing knees.

The problem of trading Pau Gasol can be explained by using a line from Business 101:

Buy low, sell high.

Right now, it's hard to imagine Gasol's trade value ever being lower. To illustrate how far his stock has fallen, let's play our favorite comparison game of Player A vs. Player B.

Consider these two big men:

Player A:
Age: 32 | Contract: 2 years/$19M annually | 2012-13 averages: 12.6 pts, 8.8 rebs, 42 FG%, 14.9 PER

Player B:
Age: 31 | Contract: 3 years/$15.7M annually | 2012-13 averages: 13.7 pts, 9.1 rebs, 46 FG%, 16.7 PER

On the surface, which of the two players would you prefer? Of course, we're leaving out some pretty important variables including defense, passing and injury status. But play along for a minute. You might feel like Player B is the better asset on the surface, because he's more efficient, younger and cheaper salary-wise. The length of the contract isn't ideal, but you might be able to bite the bullet for the younger player. Player B actually looks somewhat palatable.

So, who are the two players?

Well, it doesn't take a genius to figure out who Player A is. That's Gasol. His numbers are down, his knee is keeping him sidelined for the time being and he's currently producing at a mediocre level if we go by player efficiency rating (15 is average). To top it off, only five -- count 'em, five -- other players are due more money over the next two seasons. He's one of the most highly paid players in the game and delivering average numbers.

And Player B? Any guesses?

Yep, it's Carlos Boozer -- the guy who's generally considered one of the worst, if not the worst, albatrosses in the league.

Now, hold on, let's be fair: I'm not suggesting that these two players are equal in talent or value, for that matter. What I'm saying is that based on current production levels, the gap between Gasol and arguably the most overpaid player in the league isn't nearly as thick as Boozer's eyebrows.

Truthfully, if you want to visualize Gasol's trade value over the past three months, just look at Apple's stock (AAPL) over the same time period. Or just look at the backslash button on your keyboard. That's what we're dealing with here.

And that's the dilemma for the Lakers. If they try to deal Gasol now, they're violating the central rule of deal-making: don't sell low. In trade negotiations, that lack of leverage will make it very difficult to receive a strong haul. Sure, Gasol could return to his pre-Mike Brown All-Star levels, but then again, he is a 32-year-old center dealing with knee problems who can barely stay on the floor these days and almost no one wears a steeper price tag.

But because of fit issues, it makes sense that Gasol will eventually be dealt for a package featuring a stretch 4 who can space the defense and complement Mike D'Antoni's floor-spacing system.

Which teams make sense? Here are five options.

Trade 1: Lakers get: Danilo Gallinari (4 years, $42M), Andre Miller (3, $14.6M) | Nuggets get: Gasol, Jordan Hill (2, $7.1M), Darius Morris ($1M)

Of all the trades, this might make the most sense and here's why: Take my underperforming big man. Who knows what happened to Gallinari's jump shot? Sounds like a job for D'Antoni, his former coach who once called Gallo the greatest shooter he's ever seen. Of course, that "greatest shooter I've ever seen" is shooting a crisp 29 percent from downtown this season, the lowest mark among the 24 sharpshooters with at least 85 3-point attempts.

Gallinari has thrived in D'Antoni's system before and it's hard to imagine a better reclamation project for D'Antoni than his fellow Italian marksman. But in order to make the money work, the Nuggets would have to throw in another player with a medium-sized contract. Miller fits the bill and fills a need for the Lakers at backup point guard. From a health standpoint, it doesn't get any more dependable than Miller, who's missed exactly one game over the past six seasons.

The Nuggets have frontcourt depth, but Gasol gives them a true star if healthy. Including Miller (who's only eligible to be traded after Dec. 15) in the deal would be a steep price to pay for Gasol alone and that's where Hill comes in. The 25-year-old is the only remotely intriguing young asset on the Lakers' roster and would likely have to be included to make it worthwhile for the Nuggets. The Lakers would love to get their hands on a "3-and-D" player like Corey Brewer, but Miller might fill a greater need.

Fit level: Strong

Trade 2: Lakers get: Andrea Bargnani (3 years, $32.5M) and Jose Calderon ($10.6M expiring) | Raptors get: Gasol

Analysis: the Lakers would receive both insurance on Steve Nash and Steve Blake in addition to a floor-spacing big needing a change of scenery. Make no mistake about it: Bargnani is a traffic cone in pick-and-roll defense. But you can excuse that when Bargnani's perimeter-oriented game is practically tailor-made for D'Antoni's system.

Andrea Bargnani is tailor-made for Mike D'Antoni's system.

A potential issue: If Bargnani enacts his player option (which is likely), his deal lasts through 2014-15. The Lakers have been very open about their interest in keeping a clean slate for the summer sweepstakes of 2014 (hello LeBron!) and Bargnani's contract will make it tough to lure a big-name talent next to Steve Nash and presumably Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard.

For the Raptors? They currently stand five games out of a playoff spot, which is well within striking distance at this stage of the season. A Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Gasol trio would be more than enough talent to crash the playoff picture assuming Gasol returns soon at full health and Derrick Rose does not. Worst-case scenario? The Raptors have Gasol tutor Jonas Valanciunas and then flip Gasol to a contender in the offseason for more youthful assets.

Fit level: Moderate

Trade 3: Lakers get: Ersan Ilyasova (5, $32M) and Monta Ellis (2, $22M) | Bucks get: Pau Gasol and 2013 second-round pick (from Memphis)

The Lakers have arguably the worst bench of any title-chaser in the league, but Ellis would be perfectly suited for a Leandro Barbosa circa 2004-05 role off the bench in D'Antoni's offense. Though Ellis carries a scoring average suited for a starting gig, his subpar shooting efficiency makes him a strong candidate to be a second-unit supersub a la Jamal Crawford.

Look around the league and you'll discover it's slim pickings at stretch 4. But Ilyasova (trade eligible after Dec. 15) finds himself on the short list, which is why Milwaukee felt he was worth throwing $32 million at this past offseason. As alarming as his torpedo act in the 3-point percentage and rebounding columns have been this season, it's not like Gasol has been sparkling, either. Ilyasova might be worth the gamble, even if he's not a household name.

Like the Raptors, the Bucks find themselves jostling for playoff position in the East and Gasol (again, if healthy) could give them the scoring boost at the 5 they desperately need. According to 82games.com, the Bucks rank 27th in scoring at the center slot. Free agents aren't exactly flocking to sign in Milwaukee so trading for a star like Gasol remains one of their lone options to make a splash.

Fit level: Moderate

[Thank God Im Atheist]

All 3 of those trades are horrible for the other team though.

I doubt the Nuggets would EVER do that.

EDIT: Actually 2nd one is horrible for Lakers. Bargnani? Really? What can he bring to the table that a Healthy Gasol can't.

[Void]

I've also heard the Timberwolves offered Pekovic and Derrick Williams for Pau and the Lakers said "no dice." Personally I think the Lakers should wait and see if Pau can play well with Nash before doing anything drastic.

[Truth34]

All those trades are absolutely horrible except for the 2nd one

[Young Gee]

I've also heard the Timberwolves offered Pekovic and Derrick Williams for Pau and the Lakers said "no dice." Personally I think the Lakers should wait and see if Pau can play well with Nash before doing anything drastic.

Pekovic doesnt fit the Lakers system

[Lucifer]

Like other people have all these trades are lop-sided except for the toronto one. And if the twolves trade rumor is true, kahn is a fuxking idiot.

[Raza 10]

I saw "Carlos Boozer" and "Danilo Gallinari and Andre Miller" and I may have collapsed my lungs from laughing so hard.

[basketballfanatic]

That's the problem when you're in a very strong team. You get criticisms for not performing on a high level while for sure Pau will bounce back once he's okay from the injury. He's one of the best passing big man in NBA.


I think the most possible trade is the Bargnani and Calderon.

[The Real G]

All 3 of those trades are horrible for the other team though.

I doubt the Nuggets would EVER do that.

EDIT: Actually 2nd one is horrible for Lakers. Bargnani? Really? What can he bring to the table that a Healthy Gasol can't.

In fact thats a shit trade for both teams. Raptors give Calderon but dont even get a PG? I dont want John Lucas to play!

[Thank God Im Atheist]

In fact thats a shit trade for both teams. Raptors give Calderon but dont even get a PG? I dont want John Lucas to play!

Yea, why would Raptors get rid of Jose? He's so underrated

[WrongIslander 2.0]

Pau for Amar'e, it just makes sense for everyone.

[Dr. Kratos]

The best trade the Lakers can find for Pau Gasol, is J-Smoove.

Lakers Get: Josh Smith & Kyle Korver.
Hawks Get: Pau Gasol, Earl Clark, & Draft Picks.

[WrongIslander 2.0]

The best trade the Lakers can find for Pau Gasol, is J-Smoove.

Lakers Get: Josh Smith & Kyle Korver.
Hawks Get: Pau Gasol, Earl Clark, & Draft Picks.

Nah the Lakers need another scorer. With only Kobe they will die a death as he's going backwards as it is. Amar'e and Nash could no doubt get the best of each other and we've seen what D'Antoni can do with both. J-Smoove and D12 wouldn't be a good fit for me.

[Vino]

Best option:

Don't trade Pau and let him work his way to his rythm.

[Dedo™]

I heard the Lakers rejected two trade proposals from Minnesota and Toronto. According to sources the Lakers will wait until Nash gets back and see how Gasol perform then.

Seems better to me.

[KKinsey]

All 3 of those trades are horrible for the other team though.

I doubt the Nuggets would EVER do that.

EDIT: Actually 2nd one is horrible for Lakers. Bargnani? Really? What can he bring to the table that a Healthy Gasol can't.

It doesn't matter what works for the other teams as long as it works for the Lakers. They always get what they want. The Fakers rape in trades everytime because they're the Lakers and do what they want.

[Dr. Kratos]

Nah the Lakers need another scorer. With only Kobe they will die a death as he's going backwards as it is. Amar'e and Nash could no doubt get the best of each other and we've seen what D'Antoni can do with both. J-Smoove and D12 wouldn't be a good fit for me.

They don't need scoring, they need defense. Mostly because they're in D'Antoni's system. J-Smoove can play great defense, and still contribute offensively.

[WrongIslander 2.0]

They don't need scoring, they need defense. Mostly because they're in D'Antoni's system. J-Smoove can play great defense, and still contribute offensively.

Antoni had Chandler and had him blocking 3 point shots. The man only knows one way and for his way to even come close to working it needs a connection between PG and PF. Not that it matters because it won't work full stop.

[Clutch™]

Honestly, none of those would be great for LA. They should try to trade him for Josh Smith.

[DTIII™]

All those options are wack as shit.