Look, if we get Pau Gasol, we ain't giving up Lowry. We'd probably have to go thru a 3rd team, one that has a PG the Lakers would accept. That's a tough order. The Lakers don't need to take on another mediocre PG; after Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum, they have nothing.
That's a very idealist mindset, which you can have if you're LA. The Lakers are open to trading Gasol because they have a luxury. Even without Gasol, they have two elite players, so they can try and deal him for a position (PG) that better fits with their roster. Or someone of slightly younger age. The Rockets, on the other hand, don't have that luxury. To compete for titles, you need elite talent. Gasol is a top 15-20 player in the league, which we currently have none of. If you can flip two veterans on bloated contracts for that, that's a step in the right direction. Will Gasol alone make the Rockets a contender? Of course not, which is why it's not worth giving up your best assets (Lowry, young talent) to make it happen. But if you can trade two B-level veterans on big contracts for an A- level veteran, you do it and worry about the rest later. The Rockets don't have the luxury of getting everything all at once and seeing if Gasol is "the difference". They need to take any possible upgrade they can get as it comes, and worry about the fit later.
If Pau was makin say 12.5M/yr - I'd lean toward the deal... But the difference from that to 18.5M is 6M - thats around the diff between resigning a CLee or Dragic vs a scrub...
Actually yeah I agree. I meant to say he has the value of Iggy/Granger of a few years ago since those are older so their value has dropped. That value is that Lowry is no superstar, he's no Batman but he'd make a excellent Robin though. I wouldn't trade Lowry for anyone on their team and that includes Bynum. That dude is a headcase and will be uninspired I bet the moment Kobe leaves or that he leaves LA.
I understand that, but if you deal Martin and Scola, you're getting rid of $21.5 million. Keep that in mind.
Additionally, Pau puts up his stats with another guy that pulls contant double teams. An advantage Luis does not have...
Ive been thinking something similar, except with twill instead of Flynn. Suns fans seem to love twill...for whatever reason.
You probably don't even have to put the nyk #1. Nash is just a big expiring contract to the Suns. Morris was a lottery pick who hasn't played a minute yet. I like this trade, but without the nky pick, which we probably don't have to give up.
Pau puts up better stats when Kobe is injured and HE is double teamed. He's a class player despite the inane opinions to the contrary. Can't see a deal involving Martin to LA though. They simply can't use him properly. I wonder if there's a way we could send Lowry/Scola for Pau and at the same time make a Martin + ?expiring/s? for Deron Williams + ?salarydumptrash? Gives them a player for next year who would work well with Howard, and leaves enough cap space for a Max Howard plus another piece.
I heard that Lakers and Celtics are talking Rondo for Gasol, even if we offered Lowery which we aint they would be stupid to not take Rondo