Gasol was nearly traded to the Houston Rockets before this season, and there has been speculation of him eventually leaving ever since.
There are many trades the Lakers could look at this summer, and there have already been names surfacing around. Here are five possible acquisitions the Lakers front-office could make with Gasol being the center-piece.
5: Los Angeles Lakers receive: SF Andre Iguodala, C Nikola Vucevic
Philadelphia 76ers receive: PF Pau Gasol
The Philadelphia 76ers have been shopping Andre Iguodala for quite some time now, but the right package hasn’t arrived yet. The Sixers are a rising team in the Eastern Conference, but one gets the sense that the team has too many emerging stars.
Players like Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner and Louis Williams are both great players, but the team doesn’t know which one of them will be their star. Holiday is becoming one of the best point guards in the NBA and it seems as though he is the future of the team. However, with Iguodala still on the squad, his growth can be stunned.
That is why giving Iguodala to the Lakers would make sense since it will allow Holiday to take control of the team while still having some guidance with a veteran. Gasol knows what it takes to win a title, and he can surely guide Holiday to a more predominate role on the team.
Next Page: Pau Gasol Trade Proposal 4
Atlanta Hawks receive: PF Pau Gasol, PF Josh McRoberts, SF Christian Eyenga
Although the Atlanta Hawks have had their nucleus together for quite some time, they have not been able to put together a deep playoff run. Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Josh Smith have brought the Hawks to the post-season many times, but they cannot reach the Conference Finals.
Johnson’s contract is too big for the Hawks to move, Horford is a valuable, young big-men, leaving Smith as a great piece for a trade. The Hawks and Smith were rumored to part ways, and with a disappointing loss to the Celtics in the post-season, this could be the season the Hawks make the trade.
For the Lakers, this adds an athletic big man who can work extremely well with Andrew Bynum. Smith can perform on both ends of the court, with his forte being on defense. The Lakers need to add more youth to their roster and Smith is a rising star in the NBA.
Gasol would work wonders for the Hawks as he brings a championship attitude to the team and is someone who can help Horford. Horford struggled against opposing big men, but Gasol would be great to have in the paint.
Next Page: Pau Gasol Trade Proposal 3
Houston Rockets receive: PF Pau Gasol, SF Christian Eyenga
The Houston Rockets were very close to acquiring Pau Gasol last off-season, in fact if it weren’t for David Stern, Gasol would have played in Texas.
The Rockets really wanted Gasol on their team and were on the verge of conjuring up another trade proposal that would have brought Gasol to their team. If a team is interested in a player, like the Rockets are in Gasol, they will do anything to get their hands on that player.
Houston has a very intriguing player on their roster that the Lakers will surely benefit from having. Kyle Lowry is a great young point guard, three words that the Lakers’ front-office drools over. Lowry will fill a void on the Lakers roster and he is someone they will definitely go after.
In addition, Luis Scola is a perfect replacement for Gasol. Although their size is not the same, the Lakers will not lose much on the offensive end since Scola’s foot-work resembles that of Gasol’s.
Next Page: Pau Gasol Trade Proposal 2
Chicago Bulls receive: PF Pau Gasol, SF Metta World Peace
Recent reports indicated that Pau Gasol wanted to be traded to the Chicago Bulls, a move that would surely strengthen the team. The Bulls need another scorer on their roster and Gasol fits that requirement. Their offense tends to stick when Derrick Rose has the ball, but Gasol would surely fix that problem.
Rose does not have a lot of players around him who can score on their own, but if he gets Gasol he can feed him the ball and get results. Gasol is one of the most-skilled big men in the NBA and he can bring the Bulls over the hump in the Eastern Conference.
The Bulls would also add Metta World Peace, someone who is a defensive maestro and can occasionally knock down the three-point shot. Although World Peace is not as young as Luol Deng, he does match his defensive pressure.
As for the Lakers, the main piece in this trade would be Luol Deng, a young small forward who fits well with this system. Just like World Peace, Deng can shut down opposing players and is much more effective on the offensive end.
The one question mark comes with Carlos Boozer, someone who has struggled since leaving the Jazz. Boozer has the ability to score 20 points when he gets touches, but his defensive skills are no way near those of Gasol.
Next Page: Pau Gasol Trade Proposal 5
Sacramento Kings receive: PF Pau Gasol, PG Beno Udrih
Milwaukee Bucks receive: SG Marcus Thornton, PG Tyreke Evans, PG Andrew Goudelock
The Los Angeles Lakers will get the two players that would surely make them one of the favorites in the Western Conference. Brandon Jennings will give the Lakers a young, dynamic point guard who can create his own shot. The Lakers need to add a point guard and Jennings could one day become an All-Star in this league.
Los Angeles would also get DeMarcus Cousins, a player very similar to Bynum. Both players are extremely talented and their futures are very bright as long as they stay focused. Cousins can produce in the paint and will give the Lakers two bright spots in their front-court.
The Kings would get a much more experience and professional big man in Pau Gasol who would help them win games now. The fan base would appreciate the addition of Gasol as he can help them get out of their bad days.
As for the Bucks, they will receive a plethora of guards who can help their starting lineup and bench. Tyreke Evans was not getting the touches he used to in Sacramento despite his scoring and play making ability. Evans can average 20, five and five in a season, and is more of a point guard type than Jennings. Also, adding Thornton and Goudelock would give the Bucks more off the bench.