That's a pretty bold assumption. What if they didn't? Dwill can sign anywhere he wants next year. What makes you think he's foaming at the mouth to play with Pau Gasol?
I think its just barely a weaker option then playing with dirk...but with a much younger and more talented supporting cast. I could see a bosh/rockets or pau/rockets being able to trump dallas and dirk...but I am a rockets fan sooo that isnt saying much.
Lakers underused Gasol and Bynum, I believe Kobe took the life out of the Lakers by playing his, instead of contemplating their games. I would buy Gasol cheaply because it looks like Kobe and Gasol is going to get a divorce. Forget Dwight Howard, the Magic front office blew up because of him and you know he is going to get his coach, and the type of GM he wants to play for. I'd do Gasol for Scola + any non-starter.
The Rockets probably could get Gasol fairly cheaply, but why? The Lakers desperately want to get rid of Gasol and his $19 million a year salary, because it severely limits what they can do with their roster. Why would the Rockets want to pay one player $19 million a year when he isn't the "superstar" that will put them over the top? Gasol is only marginally better than Scola, but at twice the price. Gasol is almost 32 years old. The Rockets would be stupid to trade for a 32 to year old and pay him $19 million a year. If the Rockets were looking for one final piece to put them over the top, then it might make sense. But the Rockets aren't in that position.
I keep hearing this, but did Phil Jackson "underuse" Pau last playoffs? He's had two consecutive playoff years that were quite forgettable.
I love Scola, but Pau would be better for this Rockets team now. I would give them Martin and Scola for Pau.....maybe substitute Lowry for Martin and flip Martin to minny for Randolph. Got to get going on remaking this team. DD
I'm all about remaking the team...but that doesn't mean I want every possible move made just for the sake of making it. Particularly if that move commits $19 million/year to one guy and his name is Pau Gasol.
Just think. We can trade Lowry and Scola for Pau Gasol, resign Dragic, draft Tyler Zeller to play center, bench Kevin Martin. Starting Lineup: Zeller, Gasol, Parsons, Budinger, and Dragic. Ladies and Gentlemen, your Houston Jazz!
Pau might just be interesting on the Rockets. There are many reasons for this: 1. McHale ran almost every non-transition offensive set through the high pick and role. There were other options, such as a pick and role on the wing with weak side picks, but they were rarely used for some reason. But a huge weapon - going to the low block to Scola was rarely used because moving Dally or Camby out to the 12 foot range range for an open jumper really was not a good option because they pretty much were ignored, leaving Scola to fight double teams off of Dally/Camby's man. Going down to the low block to Gasol would be a completely different and a very effective weapon. Pau would require early double teams, can pass the ball to the open man efficiently and opponents could not double off of Scola camping in the 12 - 14 foot range. They could also run the same set utilizing Scola on the low block. The offense could assume a Spurs feel quickly. Who do you double Pau or Scola with? I love the pick your poison offense. 2. I really believe that Gasol and Bynum have had their basketball souls wrung out by playing with Kobe. Once the ball goes to Kobe the team just sort of sits around waiting for a rebound because Kobe has become a black hole - once the ball goes in to him it never comes out. If Gasol were in Houston he might see his game re-invigorated. He could play basketball again and not be a side attraction to the Kobe show. 3. Gasol and Bynum each require a lot of low block space when playing together. Their overlapping strengths will never work together without a top notch point guard in the mix. One of Pau's main strengths is his work on the low block but with Bynum in the game the area around the basket very quickly resembles one huge scrum. And Sessions has been exposed for what he really is - a good backup PG in the NBA. 4. Pau brings all of the defense of Camby/Dally along with everything Scola brings to the offensive table, only 4 inches taller. Plus he can play 35+ minutes a game and is rarely injured. 5. Totally selfish of me but I really want to see Gasol and Motiejunas on the court together. 6. Pau is probably going to be a lot cheaper this year. The Rockets might be able to get a discussion going by offering Lowry, Morris, PPat and the 16th pick. 7. Pau could make watching Rocket's basketball interesting again.
to be fair, he also then wants to trade Kevin Martin for Anthony Randolph, who continues to be stuck in Stromile Swift land... oh, and who is also a RFA.... Why would the Magic do that, instead of just taking Bynum themselves?
I really hate to ask this question because I know it falls outside of the Rockets' area of expertise but exactly what type of basketball are we talking here with Gasol? He's not really a 5 and I'm wondering how they'll use him? Will McHalle play him at the 4 and live vicariously through him? If so, that would leave them with a 40 year old Camby at center (unless they bring back Dalambert). I'm curious as to how this would elevate the team to the level of a SA or OKC. And, at $19 million, he'd damned well better be the centerpiece of their team but this is a guy who has already shown (see this year's NBA playoffs for the latest examples) that he's neither Jordan nor Pippen but rather Horace Grant.
I'd rather use Lowry as trade bait to trade for a higher draft pick. Heck, I'd rather trade for Bosh than Gasol. Gasol's only got a few years left and in those few years, he ain't bringing us a ring. And, I think he will stall Motie's development. We don't need any more PF's. Trade up for Beal and Zeller.
Yeah, but it is only for a couple of years, and you may be able to use his contract as an...wait for it.....asset in a trade later. DD
Yes Pau is a center and a 20/10/2 blocks center at that. As for what our offense would look like see my post at 9:55 am.
