IF Lakers intend to trade Gasol, it would be highly unlikely for Amare straight up.
Knicks
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At the very least not without including someone like JR Smith, Iman*I would be really upset*, or at least Kidd to spread the floor.
As well as taking back a bad contract like Duhon or MWP.
I don't see it as a move that we HAVE to make, it would just be hard to turn down IF we can move Amare WITHOUT giving up Iman.
Pau Gasol isn't young anymore but he is still one of the most skilled big men in the entire league and is a legit post up threat with very good 17 footer.
Gasol >>> Amare (during his MVP chants during his first half of LAST season, maybe???), *but not since his struggles once Chandler was acquired and now all the injuries since then*
Amare need's shooters to spread him out so he has the lane to dunk, which is why Lakers are suffering now.
He would not work efficiently with Dwight Howard on the floor together.
They are clogged and slow but with size at the PF and Center positions to play both sides.
At this point of his career, Gasol is a skilled center with good all round games, good passing ability, and Post up game.
He finished games with Odom in the past few years with the Lakers recent championships, post Shaq, with the Bynum years.
I think Gasol would be a great upgrade at on the offensive end at Center for the Knicks but I just don't see it happening.
Problem is Gasol cannot play many minutes at PF with his age now and not many teams have the luxury of paying 2 max ish type contracts for 2 Centers.
He would really fit in with Melo with his all round game and even allow Sheed to play some minutes at PF.
It would give us 3 legit post up options in Gasol, Melo, and Rasheed and all could spread the floor as well.
His contract is 1 year shorter than Amare but is not insured though.
If Amare is unable to play gain due to injury/surgery, he would be eligiable to receive 1/2 his salary as an injury exemption but i think would not be exempt from the cap taxes.
*roughly about 10m*
Lakers need good value, diluting their assets and cap space, while acquiring value with 2-3 pieces for Gasol.
Unfortunately, they don't have much draft picks to entice teams and twin towers of Howard/Bynum and Gasol just won't together at their age because of their mobility/floor spacing.
New Orleans
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Ryan Anderson/Eric Gordon for Gasol/fill ins and future draft picks *not sure if they have any in the near future*
I am not sure if New Orleans still wants to continue to invest in Eric Gordon as a max player *injuries*, especially if they believe in Austin Rivers.
Gasol can help mentor Anthony Davis and would move Lopez to the bench role with much cap room to go after players in the future, like OJ Mayo *assuming he opts out of his 4m contract*
It would be a great trade for the Lakers and Dantoni can run his philosophy with the players needed.
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At the trade deadline or when new contracts can be moved
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Atlanta
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Josh Smith and fill ins (Anthony Morrow, Zaza Puchula,??) for Gasol so Horford can continue can play his natural position.
I think Josh Smith will be traded eventually this season but they would be looking for youth/picks/expirings.
Houston
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Not sure if they are still interested in adding Gasol, especially because they would lose their flexibility to sign a FA in the summer.
Youth, picks, expirings, but Omar Osik probably would be needed to be traded to make salaries work.
So far, Osik and Lin have been good enough to live up to their 8m per year deal.
If Lakers do not make a trade, they risk losing Howard for NOTHING.
Howard will not be happy if they continue to lose and Howard is not able to get his touches.
Then again, they could still pay him the most money, one additional extra year, and the most endorsements with all the large markets capped out already.
Denver
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McGee/ and combination of Gallo/Iggy/ Wilson Chandler
11/28/2012 7:25 PM