Unlike many people on this board I am okay with the possible trade of Lowry and Scola. I know Lowry is an integral part to our winning. Losing Lowry is going to hurt this team this year. I never realized how much Lowry contributed to wins until he went down 2 years ago and we immediately started losing. So I don’t think this makes us a better team right off. But we have to give to get and I think this gives us a real shot to see what Dragi brings to the table. I think he has the chance to shine given starters minutes and it will also free up more minutes for Lee and Flynn. Plus Gasol is a better center than anyone we have or could get and that’s were I see him playing for us in the long run. My concern is what do we do going forward to build around Gasol. Since the team as it stands will be hard pressed to make the playoffs even with Gasol. I’ll start off with my idea. Let’s face it no one named Dwight Howard or Deron Williams is walking through our door. The best of the rest are mostly restricted making it near impossible to steal them. Is there anyone we have a realistic chance of aquiring that can help us right away. I think this Ersan Ilyasova kid from the Bucks has that potential. He is a stretch 4 but he looks like he has the ability much more than that. His number across the board are equal or better than Love per 40. He is good rebounder and great offensive rebounder. He shoots better than love both 3’s and 2’s and that’s even more impressive considering he has less of an inside game. He is the same height as love with a better reach and slightly better shot blocker. His last 10 games he has been averaging 17 and 11.5. That’s better than Gasol this year. He is unrestricted and only a year older than Love but imo has more upside because he is still learning the NBA game and being thrown in a new culture. He is not their go to guy but he could be that. He just needs more confidence. He won’t cost max money at least I hope but the reality is because of this amnesty crap their will be a lot of teams competing for him. With Donatus coming in next year and Patrick we should have a premier front court for a while. The other thing I would do if we have the cap space is bring over Llull. By the way this deal has Rudy T written all over it. In his last visit here to Houston. He said he Loved Scola and Lowry. They are winners. And he is Kupchaks right hand man now. <object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r58ONy-EK2g?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r58ONy-EK2g?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
You don't. Memphis didn't build around him. Lakers paired him with Bryant. That's the only way this would work. Gasol is a #2 guy. If Gas can land us a superstar, it can work.
LOL thats the thing i think a LOT of people are forgetting on this forum. Nevermind his age, but Gasol is not a player who is tough and can lead a team over the hump( at least better than were are right now) I agree with trading Kevin Martin, and Scola, even Budinger... But people underestimate how important, Lowry is to us. He is putting up big numbers( basically with no shooters around him, and with K-Mart... who takes away a lot of KLOW's assists... with his movement after receveing a pass from Lowry)
Just as easily we may not get another superstar and now we have an aging, unhappy Gasol, and a bunch of role players, with our best asset being Courtney Lee. Morey, please don't gut this team for this crap.
Anytime a trade makes you a championship contender from a borderline lottery team you know you're screwing someone over.
With Pau you have the best Skilled Big Man in the NBA. He can run the floor, post up, Mid range and PASS. You need another big man in the middle to help him rebound but we have Dalembert. You need more athleticism at the SG and a very good shooting PG. We need to get a very good SF to go with Pau.
A lineup of Gasol, Motiejunas, Ilyasova, Dragic, Llull -- I fear for the health of our marketing department.
That's a really good team except LLyasova can't get to the basket. We need a Guard or SF that can get to the rim ie: Iggy or Granger.
Well, as much as i have been getting on him lately, Martin already gives you a pretty good 2nd option to Gasol.
Dragic Martin Budinger Gasol Dalembert that there is a top 4 team in the west, without any further trades.
I would think Lull would definitely come over...he was worried about PT, with kyle gone, the starting spot is open again. At worst, he's still playing 20 mins a night, assuming he doesn't suck here. That could be one more reason to do this, in their opinion, Gasol would play with Lull. I wouldn't mind upgrading Bud's D with Delfino's. Dragic/Lull Martin/lee Delfino/Parsons Gasol/PPat Dalembert/smith/Dmo?
That is the same team we have now. Not enough Defense with Martin and Budinger on the team. Go get a slashing physical SG and SF.
