Spring Break
Lakers Get Better End Of Gasol Trade
Joe Colombo
Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: Sports
Trades happen in every sport. All-star quality players pack their bags year in and year out. It's inevitable. They may leave your favorite team and yeah, it stinks. Whether it's for salary cap reasons or in the best interest of the organization (i.e. Ron Artest), these things happen. The Memphis Grizzlies and their most recent "blockbuster" transaction is a prime example.
This past week, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired an all-star player, Memphis' Pau Gasol. It was unfortunate for Grizzlies fans to see their beloved star leave for bigger and better things, especially because of what they got in return. They dealt Gasol and acquired Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, Marc Gasol - his younger brother - and two future first round NBA draft selections for 2008 and 2010.
For a struggling organization such as Memphis, the front office will often trade its highest-paid players for less expensive, younger ones hoping for a stronger team in the future. However, the outcome of this transaction will not improve the team, even after the 2010 draft. There are only two ways this team will improve from where it is now to 2010.
First, each of its first round draft picks (not the two from L.A.) from 2008, 2009 and 2010 need to be top-10 selections. That gives the Grizzlies at least two first round picks in 2008 and 2010, pending more trades before then.
Second, the Grizzlies need to acquire a true veteran who is willing to work with younger players. That doesn't seem too likely at the moment, since Memphis is on the "our only chance of getting to the playoffs depends on ticket availability" tier of the Western Conference - also known as the "our chance of getting to the playoffs is as good as Greg Oden's chance of being asked for identification when purchasing alcohol" tier. Veterans tend to go to title-contending teams anyway - a group Memphis has never been a part of.
McKie, who isn't even on the Grizzlies' roster as of Wednesday, would be their most experienced player if signed. Instead, on their current roster, their most NBA-experienced player is Mike Miller, an eighth-year player out of the University of Florida. Sorry, but Miller just doesn't cut it. I guess the only truly experienced veteran that exists in Memphis wears a visitor's uniform.
This past week, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired an all-star player, Memphis' Pau Gasol. It was unfortunate for Grizzlies fans to see their beloved star leave for bigger and better things, especially because of what they got in return. They dealt Gasol and acquired Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, Marc Gasol - his younger brother - and two future first round NBA draft selections for 2008 and 2010.
For a struggling organization such as Memphis, the front office will often trade its highest-paid players for less expensive, younger ones hoping for a stronger team in the future. However, the outcome of this transaction will not improve the team, even after the 2010 draft. There are only two ways this team will improve from where it is now to 2010.
First, each of its first round draft picks (not the two from L.A.) from 2008, 2009 and 2010 need to be top-10 selections. That gives the Grizzlies at least two first round picks in 2008 and 2010, pending more trades before then.
Second, the Grizzlies need to acquire a true veteran who is willing to work with younger players. That doesn't seem too likely at the moment, since Memphis is on the "our only chance of getting to the playoffs depends on ticket availability" tier of the Western Conference - also known as the "our chance of getting to the playoffs is as good as Greg Oden's chance of being asked for identification when purchasing alcohol" tier. Veterans tend to go to title-contending teams anyway - a group Memphis has never been a part of.
McKie, who isn't even on the Grizzlies' roster as of Wednesday, would be their most experienced player if signed. Instead, on their current roster, their most NBA-experienced player is Mike Miller, an eighth-year player out of the University of Florida. Sorry, but Miller just doesn't cut it. I guess the only truly experienced veteran that exists in Memphis wears a visitor's uniform.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Bro
posted 2/07/08 @ 10:50 AM EST
IM COMPLETELY BELTLESS
Laura LaSpisa
posted 2/07/08 @ 12:28 PM EST
I like your insight, it's going somewhere great! I'm ready for the next trade...
Dubbs
posted 2/07/08 @ 3:15 PM EST
100% agreed. The Lakers, pending on when Bynum returns, will be a top threat in the Western conference for a championship run for the second half of the season. (Continued…)
Dubbs
Dubbs
posted 2/07/08 @ 3:19 PM EST
100% agreed. The Lakers, pending on when Bynum returns, will be a top threat in the Western conference for a championship run for the second half of the season. (Continued…)
Rev Riddi
posted 2/08/08 @ 4:30 PM EST
Good article Beppe, Lakers may be contenders yet again, but watch out for this little team from the East called the New York Knickerbockers.. I'm still waiting for them to win out for the rest of the season (or lose out and pick up another Marist College player). (Continued…)
CPO
posted 2/08/08 @ 4:54 PM EST
Another solid article. All the Lakers need now is a guy outa The Hofstra University, number 13 to put them over the edge.
Post a Comment