Nash and Howard joined an already talented Lakers team which included Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, forming one of the best starting fives in the league.
Gasol is one of the most skilled big men in the NBA, and even though he is struggling now, there is a good chance he gets his act back together. Gasol has the ability to stretch the floor with his mid-range shooting, and he can also do a great job of finding teammates for open looks. A Nash/Gasol tandem is something not many teams can compete against, and according to Ric Bucher, Nash was told that Gasol will not be traded when he signed with the team.
When Steve Nash signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, a source says he was promised that Pau Gasol would not be traded.
The Mike D’Antoni system is made to be run by an elite point guard, and Steve Nash is the perfect fit for this offense. Everyone involved with the Lakers is hoping that Gasol can improve once Nash returns to the lineup. This team is not playing to the level that it should be playing at, but there is a chance that Nash can help with the process.
Nash and Gasol are two playmaking athletes, and a lot of great can come if they are both on the same page. However, if Gasol continues to struggle even with Nash in the lineup, there’s the possibility that he will end up getting dealt.