For the record, I would be fine with getting Gasol for Lowry and Scola this year - why not? He will be an 18-10 guy for at least 2 more years, which is the duration of his contract, and it makes our team better. Probably helps to get LLull over as well. DD
Edit: Just saw Carl had posted it in the other thread. Chris Broussard: http://espn.go.com/losangeles/video/clip?id=7960935 Chris, we are giving you GM powers to tinker with the Lakers personnel. Where do you want to begin here in the offseason with the retooling? First of all, the guy they're going to look to shop the most is Pau Gasol. 1. Because he does bring back value. He is a very good player. He's an all-star caliber player and I think in a system where he is the first or second option, he can play at an all-star level consistently. Now, teams out there that may want him will have to be a good team that feels like he takes them to a contender level or maybe championship level because he's gonna make about 40 million over the next 2 years. Philadelphia is looking to move Andre Iguodala. There is no question about that. Pau Gasol would look good there. Their contracts are roughly the same. Iguodala would make the Lakers a lot more athletic on the wing. They probably would like to get a big back. That may depend on how much they like Jordan Hill and whether they think he can start for them in the future. Houston is looking for a star. They love Pau Gasol. Would the Lakers be interested in some type of deal involving maybe Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry if Lowry is expendable now that Goran Dragic has established himself down in Houston. There are some options out there. Gasol will be the name they look at. ... Ramon Sessions, I think he showed he's a very good player but a backup on a contending team. They probably want to upgrade at Point Guard if they can.
OK I lied. I am not done with this yet. Thank god i managed to retire at a young age - and yes luck had a large part in it. I can spend whatever time necessary to fully flesh out my analysis. I think I do know more about this issue than most of you. I spent days preparing my analysis. I read every pertinent article I could find. I spent hours going through stats. I spent half a day watching video analysis at bballbreakdown. Was it everything I could do? No. Does it give me a deeper understanding of the issues than most? Yes. So you can take your opinion about my knowledge and understanding and shove it. Gently. LOL
Why? A Pau Gasol acquisition makes the Rockets ceiling a semifinal round team at best. And most likely a first round flameout team every year. Pau doesn't make the Rockets a contender as much as loudmouth dumbass Chris Broussard likes to claim. With Gasol, the Rockets become the 2004-2006 Grizzlies. If we are going to trade Scola and Lowry, then we need much younger players in return or draft picks, not a 31 year old Gasol.
I humbly beg to differ. Please read the last 3 pages of posts. I believe that I made succinct arguments to the contrary and was backed up by serious players in the basketball GM hierarchy.
With emphasis on the much younger players. I agree with this assessment. The Rockets should be looking to get younger and stronger in the upcoming years. Chris Broussard proposed a Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola swap for Pau Gasol. Of course this makes sense from the Lakers perspective. With Kobe Bryant going on 34, that window is closing fast. Lets take a look at the breakdown: Rockets obtain: Pau Gasol (17.4 pts, 10.4 rebounds, 37.4 minutes a game) , $19 Million a year. Lakers obtain: Luis Scola (15.5 pts, 6.5 rebounds, 31.3 minutes a game), $10 million a year Kyle Lowry (14.3 pts, 4.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 32.1 minutes a game). $6 million a year By getting Lowry, the Lakers certainly upgrade at the PG position at a bargain basement price and they don't get a formidable PF to replace Gasol without a significant drop-off in production at HALF THE PRICE. This deal is a steal for the Lakers. Why the hell would the Rockets want to pick up Gasol at nearly $20 million a year is beyond me. You can argue that the only reason Gasol has a slight statistical edge on Scola is because he plays more minutes. The Rockets should look to get younger and I think the Rockets could get a much better rebuilding piece for Lowry (and Scola) than Gasol.
Please see the post at 9:55 am today for an x's and o's explanation of why Gasol is the best candidate possible for the Rockets hopes to return to the WCF. Short of a ruinous rental of Howard of course. Then read everything from there to now. After you do that I would be very interested in your opinion. I think there was a great case made that your analysis in incorrect.
If Chris Mullin is really that clueless, let’s hope he gets that Blazers GM job he’s up for right now. Then Morey can swoop in and fleece them for LMA!
With emphasis on the much younger players. I agree with this assessment. The Rockets should be looking to get younger and stronger in the upcoming years. Chris Broussard proposed a Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola swap for Pau Gasol. Of course this makes sense from the Lakers perspective. With Kobe Bryant going on 34, that window is closing fast. Lets take a look at the breakdown: Rockets obtain: Pau Gasol (17.4 pts, 10.4 rebounds, 37.4 minutes a game) , $19 Million a year. Lakers obtain: Luis Scola (15.5 pts, 6.5 rebounds, 31.3 minutes a game), $10 million a year Kyle Lowry (14.3 pts, 4.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 32.1 minutes a game). $6 million a year By getting Lowry, the Lakers certainly upgrade at the PG position at a bargain basement price and they (edit: DO) get a formidable PF to replace Gasol without a significant drop-off in production at HALF THE PRICE. This deal is a steal for the Lakers. Why the hell would the Rockets want to pick up Gasol at nearly $20 million a year is beyond me. You can argue that the only reason Gasol has a slight statistical edge on Scola is because he plays more minutes. The Rockets should look to get younger and I think the Rockets could get a much better rebuilding piece for Lowry (and Scola) than Gasol.
LMA as a target makes far more sense than going after Pau Gasol. If we can get LMA for Lowry/Scola and (insert Rockets scrub(s)), I'd do it in a heartbeat. Their draft picks are rather appealing too.
There's just no way the Blazers trade LMA for that especially with Dragic as a FA. If it did happen, you do that trade a run away.
A first order analysis based on box scores. Morey himself said that the person who invented box scores should be shot. There is much more in play if you want to do a serious in depth analysis. 1. Scola is not a required piece in this trade. I submit that you could substitute PPat and Morris for Scola and have a basis for conversation. 2. You do not have an analysis of what Gasol would mean to the Rockets team. 9:55 am post highlights the impact well. 3. One of Lowry and Dragic must be gone by the first day that UFA signings are allowed. 4. If Lowry is traded the probability of signing Dragic goes up exponentially. 5. 6. 7. etc.
LMA is an opium pipe dream. Stop drinking the koolaide. He is the centerpiece of their franchise. This point reminds me of the inane speculation of acquiring Marc Gasol or the possibility of yanking Hibbert away from the Pacers. Not happening. Not today, not tomorrow not maybe in 2016.
