In the off-season, it’s been a general consensus for many fans and news sources focusing on the Lakers organization that Pau Gasol has got to go. Not just for his declining playing ability, but for a way to lessen the pressure of the Lakers salary cap. This extra cash would then be used for younger, cheaper talent in the hopes of growing a team worth another championship.
Recently, Pau had been rumored to have found a new home in Atlanta, with a trade concerning Josh Smith. Unfortunately, after a few weeks of working out a deal, the Hawks ended the talks and, for now, Gasol isn’t going anywhere. Reports indicate that the Hawks believed the Lakers were asking for too much.
Dumping Gasol’s salary would lighten the load for the Lakers. However, it is Kobe Bryant that adds the most pressure to the organization. The NBA’s salary cap under the new CBA limited teams to $58 million during the 2011-2012 season. Bryant was accountable for approximately 43.5 percent of the Lakers available salary since he was paid $25.24 million. The salary cap, along with the CBA making it impossible for players/teams to restructure contracts couples with Kobe’s extreme salary have drained the Lakers salary budget. This leaves the team with little ability to entice new, young, powerful players to the organization. For a more in depth break down of the situation, check out Gil Alcaraz’s post on why Kobe is hamstringing the Lakers, here.
Lakers Nation News
Grant Hill Undergoes “Kobe” Treatment; Lakers Interested
Lakers Show Interest in Chauncey Billups
Brandon Rush Draws Interest from the Lakers
Kobe Bryant is Killing the Lakers’ Free Agency Opportunities
Lakers Rumors: Hawks Turned Down Pau Gasol, Josh Smith Trade
Lakers News
Is Dwight Howard Really an Option? Yes and No [Forum Blue and Gold]
Lakers First Choice for Jose Calderon [Silver Screen and Roll]
Lakers 2012 Free Agency: Los Angeles Enters Free Agency Dealing With New CBA Limits [SB Nation]
Meet Lakers rookie Darius Johnson-Odom [OC Register]
A Purple and Gold Crossroads for Kobe and the Lakers [Land O’ Lakers]
Lakers reach out to Ramon Sessions [ESPN]
Lakers, Nets, Rockets discuss potential trade for Magic All-Star center Dwight Howard [Yahoo Sports]
Free Agency Open Threat [Silver Screen and Roll]
Lakers will rue day Kidd-Gilchrist got away [OC Register]
NBA News
So Long, Joe: Hawks Trade Star Guard To Nets For 4 Players [SB Nation]
Undrafted Kevin Jones inks partially guaranteed deal with Cavs [ProBasketball Talk]
Raptors Go All-in for Nash, Celtics Eye Green, More Free-Agent News [SI.com]
Free Agents Who Aren’t Worth It [ESPN Insider]
USA Basketball: Men’s Roster For 2012 Olympics Changing Drastically [SB Nation]
Anthony Davis Severly Sprains Ankle, Out of Olympics [Pro Basketball Talk]
Kevin Garnett Returning [ESPN]
Does Nash to Toronto mean Calderon to L.A.? [Land O’Lakers]
Wilcox Ready To Resume NBA Career [Hangtime Blog]
Lin’s Return is Uncertain [FanNation]
Team USA Basketball Faces Stiff Olympic Competition [SB Nation]
George Hill Agrees to 5 Year Deal with the Pacers [ProBasketball Talk]
