Another trade rumor that is circulating around the sporting world today is the speculated deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Pau Gasol for Kevin Love. As you may have heard, the TWolves recently acquired Ricky Rubio, the Spanish Point Guard who Gasol reportedly has a great friendship with. Of course, Minnesota would want to capitalize on such a friendship, and the trade for Gasol would be an obvious benefit to the Timberwolves Game.
What would the Lakers gain from such a trade? As previously stated, Gasol’s post season was unbelievable, and not in a positive way. His offensive and defensive presence was absent throughout the first two rounds, arguably causing the Lakers to have an early exit against the later crowned Champions Dallas Mavericks.
Multiple rumors were passed around as to why Gasol played so poorly, but at the end of the day, there are no excuses acceptable to why a persons game can change so drastically at such an important moment in a player, and teams, career.
The mindset of the Spanish native was questioned by many throughout the postseason. Is this the end of Pau Gasol’s Laker reign? Has he become too comfortable in Los Angeles, and needs a trade to become the player that he has the capability of becoming? Possibly.
Kevin Love would automatically become a favorite in Los Angeles. Born in Santa Monica and attending UCLA for one year before entering the 2008 NBA Draft, returning to his roots may be what he needs to improve upon his own career. As a power forward/center, I feel that Love is a lot better on the point scoring side of the game, and no one can argue with his rebounding capabilities.
Also, in this past season he won the NBA Most Improved Award, and led the league with most rebounds. He recorded 64 double-doubles in the season, and arguably became the new face of the Timberwolves since Kevin Garnett’s departure to the Celtics in 2007.
The trade seems beneficial to both teams. Minnesota would acquire two of the top Spanish players who could easily work together, while the Lakers would receive hometown boy Kevin Love, along with a top Draft pick that the Lakers could really use. I see this as a good trade, as Kemba Walker could still be available in the draft, automatically solving the Lakers point guard needs.
In the end, this is all speculation, and nothing is set in stone. There are always trades that fall through, and some that are questionable forever, but the trade of Gasol for Love could help two teams, and possibly push the Lakers to their third championship in four years for the 2011-2012 season.
