Random Retrospection: Gasol Trade

by rosewood on Jul 13, 2008 4:46 PM MDT

Looking back at the Gasol trade, I think it's become a lot more clear that this wasn't as horrible a trade as it was made out to be. In fact, I think you can make a case that the Grizzlies did well for themselves.

They gave up Gasol, but now have gotten:

Javaris Crittenton - a promising PG prospect, even if they're loaded at that position
Darrell Arthur - a promising PF prospect
Marc Gasol - a promising C prospect, who was just MVP of the Spanish league (arguably the best league in Europe).
9M in Salary Cap relief between Kwame Brown and Aaron Mckie
the Lakers 2010 first round pick.

That's really not a bad haul for a high-end complimentary player like Gasol. I mean, he's 20/8 guy, which is great, but he's not a Duncan or even Amare caliber star.

I think perhaps people jumped on this trade so aggressively because the Lakers didn't have to give up any rotation players except Brown. But, in retrospect, I think that may speak more to the fact that the Lakers had a lot of quality, expendable assets outside their rotation rather than Memphis made a bad deal.

Perhaps, there were better deals, but, to me, Darrell Arthur/Marc Gasol/Javaris Crittenton/9M in cap space/1st Round Pick is pretty good for a one-time all star.

Thoughts?

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Meh

I still feel that the trade was unfair overall, but I can see where you are coming from. Looking at Gasol in the playoffs made me modify my view of this trade a bit. In that (as you said) he’s a great complementary guy, but he’s just way too soft in some parts of him game to be anything like a STAT or Duncan. I mean just look at how the Celtics used and abused him.

I’m very curious to see just how the Lakers will look with Bynum back and will Bynum be back to what he was, or will he be just a flash in the pan?

Anyhow I still feel the Lakers got a steal, but your right about Memphis getting something out of it, especially since they are in rebuilding mode.

"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness

by Turambar on Jul 13, 2008 5:47 PM MDT reply actions

For Gasol

The Suns would have given them Marion

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on Jul 14, 2008 10:38 AM MDT reply actions

That doesn't strike me as a great deal

Marion is a little old for a slow rebuilding plan, plays the same position as their best player (Gay), and would provided them with no cap space.

For Memphis, I’d take three prospects, cap space, and a draft pick every time.

Purchasing my Dragic jersey

by rosewood on Jul 14, 2008 11:28 AM MDT up reply actions

Memphis can be taken advantage of

Memphis is becoming the old Cleveland. Remember Ted Stepien? He’s the one who ended up providing the Lakers with both Worthy and Magic. Somehow I think Love/Jefferson/Foye is going to do better than Mayo/Gay/ Warrick.

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on Jul 14, 2008 5:12 PM MDT reply actions