[sammybuckeye13Participant]

Even before he disappointed more than NBC’s "Joey" in this year’s postseason, the Lakers were asking too much for Gasol. Now that Nash is on board, the Lakers should finally come to their senses and soften their demands for Pau. I’m not a Gasol hater — he’s an astonishingly skilled 7-footer who will get you 18, 10 and 1.5 blocks while shooting 52% from the field and 76% from the line, and he has rings. But he is entering his 12th season, his scoring average last season was a career low and the playoffs confirmed that he is not worth a perennial all-star or can’t-miss prospect in return. 

Consider that the Lakers have $88M committed to 8 players yet their depth is…there really is no depth there. Consider that the Wolves desperately want to Gasol and have a ton of desirable aspects, and tell me if this seems plausible. The trade isn’t built around the young T-Wolf who’s name hasn’t been thrown around. 

Lakers Get: Nikola Pekovic and Chase Budinger

Wolves Get: Pau Gasol.

Those that scoff at Pekovic should probably call up one of their NBA fans and ask how the 2012 season went while they were in a coma. Pekovic, who’s only 6-11/290 with quick feet and a great feel for the game, averaged 13.9 points and 7.4 boards (next to a guy who pulled down 13) in just 26.9 minute a game. He shot 56% from the field and 74% from the line. He’ll run you just $4.6M, he won’t take shots away from Kobe, Bynum and Nash (a player too skilled he doesn’t have a choice but to shoot). He’s a great fit next to Bynum as a tough-nosed big man whose relentlessness will keep him amped on a possession-to-posession basis.

The Lakerss, who have four point guards under contract (Nash, Blake and Steve), could have their pick of the Wolves young wings. Budinger is a player, not a stud but someone you can feel comfortable with in your rotation, and the Lakers could still use another shooter and definitely more athleticism, which Budinger supplies. 

The Wolves surrender a very promising big man but they have Derrick Williams waiting in the wings and arguably the best PF in the league hogging his spot. Love and Gasol would be an incredible duo. Rubio and Gasol are terrific together, and Rubio is a great fit with both, but especially his fellow Spaniard. Derrick Williams-Brandon Roy-J.J. Barea-Luke Ridnour-Wes Johnson is a fine group of wings. 

Considering how great a fit Pekovic would be in the lineup, the $10M in savings (before frightening taxes) and the depth they would acquire, I think this trade is as palatable for the Lakers as it is for the Wolves, whose desire and willingness to deal anything but Love or Rubio for Gasol makes this a no-brainer. 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Why would the Lakers trade a multi-talented 7 foot power forward when they just brought in Steve Nash. Yes, they don’t have much of a bench but they might not need one. I think Nash can make Ebanks, McRoberts, and Goudelock look good. And Matt Barnes and Steve Blake are solid. Their bench isn’t much difference than the Heat’s bench or the Bull’s bench. And if you consider Manu and Harden as basically starters, the Spurs’ and Thunder’s benches aren’t vastly better than the Lakers bench.

I think they can sign a couple of veterans for the minimum and they will be set. They have their Big Four with MWP as their fifth option. Barnes, Blake, Ebanks, and the rest aren’t great but they are decent. I also like Robert Sacre as their rookie center.

[CoolidgerParticipant]

I don’t agree with the trade, I still don’t get all the negs though.

 

I highly doubt the Lakers would pull this off because Pekovic and Andrew Bynum are bruiser type centers with little range on their jumpshots and likely wouldn’t co-exist in the frontcourt. If the Lakers DID make a deal with the Timberwolves involving Pau Gasol, I still think they want Derrick Williams as the key piece in return.

[BruinSteveParticipant]

 The main problem about the Gasol/Bynum combination is that Gasol favors playing in the post instead of being a stretch 4 which is what the offense requires him to be. Pekovic would be immensly worse in this role being he gets almost all his points from bruising around inside. 

[TRC1991Participant]

 bynum and pekovic couldnt co exist

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

Gasol put up career lows in points due to the emergence of Bynum and Kobe chucking up a ton of shots, gasol was forced to play on the high post and more on the perimeter with Bynum taking over down low, adding pekovic will not work the floor will not be spaced enough as they are both the same type of player

[Author]

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