Only problem is I dont see offering Penny as getting the job done.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_3835986,00.html

Gasol hopes Griz adding size
Spaniard determined to become leader for team

By Ronald Tillery
Contact
June 7, 2005

CHICAGO -- As the Grizzlies' coaches, management and scouts descend on Moody Bible Institute for the NBA's final pre-draft camp, their franchise player has some advice on what to shop for.

Gasol states the obvious on the eve of an event that always is graced by the who's who of league personnel eager to discuss potential trades as well as draft prospects.




The Griz own the 19th pick, something they are willing to package with a player and trade on draft day. While Griz president Jerry West is on the record saying the team needs an impact player should they keep the pick, Gasol says the new addition needs to be big.

"I want a guy who can come in and intimidate physically," Gasol said in a telephone interview from Barcelona, Spain. "We need to get a little stronger inside."

Gasol, the team's franchise player, is about to enter his fifth NBA season. The 2005-06 campaign will also be Gasol's first under a six-year, $86 million contract extension he signed before the start of last season.

The slender 7-footer has been criticized for a lack of toughness. The Griz, though, have always employed an undersized center. Taking nothing away from veteran Lorenzen Wright and his hard work down low, Gasol is hopeful that the Grizzlies' plan of addition will include bulk.

"I feel sometimes teams feel like they can outmuscle us because they're more physical," Gasol said. "They come in and make a statement, and abuse us in the paint by being stronger."

Gasol has worked out in a Barcelona gym over the past two weeks. He understands his role in improving the Grizzlies' interior, too. West has talked privately with Gasol about adding muscle and improving his mettle on the basketball court.

A sheepish Gasol acknowledged that his play has been deserving of the "soft" label he's received at times.

"I want to get a little stronger and come back with a lot more energy and start with energy from Day One," Gasol said. "I want to carry this team in the right direction. I want to be the guy everyone expects me to be. I want to come back very strong and make a point in every game. I want to leave little room for criticism."

Gasol spoke of also bolstering his leadership skills, and how difficult it is to guide an NBA team compared to his national team from Spain.

Recent reports that the Griz are willing to part with Gasol were overblown. The team still is committed to building around the Spaniard, barring a deal for a proven superstar such as Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett. Gasol, despite his shortcomings, still elicits a double team when he touches the basketball.

He's been a consistent offensive player, having averaged nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds in each of his four NBA seasons. That is why the Grizzlies essentially laughed when the New York Knicks recently floated a nonsensical trade proposal down the Mississippi River: Gasol in exchange for Memphis native Anfernee Hardaway. Griz coach Mike Fratello sounded encouraged upon hearing of Gasol's desire to step up his leadership -- on and off the court.

Fratello said Gasol has plenty of work to do if he's to make the Griz his team.

"It's an accumulation of the work you put in and other people watching," Fratello said. "Then, it's the performance during games on a consistent basis and over an extended period of time with extended minutes. And then it's the willingness in the locker room, on the bus and in the hotels to take certain responsibilities on your shoulders that go with leadership. At the same time, the surrounding cast of characters has to recognize who our leaders are. Once that's established, guys have to be willing to accept that."

For his part, Gasol sounded determined.

"I'm going to make it more of my team," Gasol said. "I'm going to act like it and speak like it. I want to let everybody know. It's going to be a good mental challenge for me."

you mean Penny's expiring contract wouldn't be enough to land us MEM's franchise player? i don't believe it!

I don't know that I would give them 8 & penny for gasol- though that is probably what was being offered

Posted by franco12:

I don't know that I would give them 8 & penny for gasol- though that is probably what was being offered

Nope, I think it was straight up, Penny's expiring contract for Gasol.

Very Laydenesque type of trade offer.

"nonsensical"!

Great word!

Why not offer TT? We can add to it and take on Jason williams!

Oh, that would be trading for two WHITE players! A Euro and a West Virginia trailer trash special!

Keep that payroll bloated! Show em my new Motto!

Posted by gunsnewing:

I wouldn't do 8 + Penny for Gasol

me neither. Gasol is Van Horn 2. In a few years, Memphis will be DYING to unload him on someone.

ok, ok...seriously...Penny & our 2nd round pick...that's my final offer.

Posted by diderotn:

Are you all nuts?????? Gasol may be soft, but he is a hell of player.. He reminds me a lot of Kevin McAle. Is he the type of bigs that we need? HMMMMMMM 20/10? hell yeah....With him, all we have to do is get a shot blocker to provide whatever he can right now;;;He is a PF, Add Akindale to play Center, we would have the tallest frontcourt in the east....

When has Gasol ever averaged 20 pts OR 10 rebs? And, please don't compare him to McHale, who actually could average 20 and 10 AND play defense. Gasol is Van Horn without the outside shot. He's slightly bigger, but he doesn't use his size at all.

NO, KEEP #8....One should never trade the first best pick that we have gotten in a while....Sorry, trade the 30th pick and a future 1st rounder instead....

Posted by rvhoss:

What about rose and penny?

Maybe add the number 8 to get swift as well?

Posted by diderotn:

look here, Penny, Sweetney or Kurt and the 30th pick for Gasol, 19, and Bonzi

Me like this alot. Penny and Kurt and 30 for Gasol, Bonzi and 19.

We keep our 8, can add size (or continue to package for shot blocker)

Gasol is essentially a tall Kurt.

But Bonzi would be an amazing add...he would start aheard of Craw, though, I'm not sure about his defense.

Well, maybe this doesn't address any of our needs.

OK, you guys win, let's just draft and pray!!!

he probably put a feler around to se what an ending contract could do. It did get Baron Davis, but this is a whole different scenario. Jerry West essentially ate 9 mm $ on Jake T when he matched the offer from Clev. He wants =value back. I cant see wher we could give them = value for that player. If I owned Pau, I would definitely not trade him, almost for anything. I dont see anything on the Knicks I would trade him for. i wouldnt even do Marbury and pick 8. Its hard to get guys like Gasol, its much easier adding. And if I was intent on trading him, it would have to be for pick 1 this year.