Gasol is a hell of a player, but I think it´s better if we keep our hands away from him. Not the type of player you want to see in a high-octane offense. I´d take Josh Smith over Gasol right now. Even if Josh Smith has the worst shot selection ever.
I can see that point of view. I agree that if the twolves or blazers thought there was no way their respective max players resign with them, they'd get a lot more value by trading his a year early giving the team they trade more time with the player. I just think its unlikely either team thinks their chances of resigning them are that small. It works both ways as each of those teams could use more time to convince each player they can build a contender. All it takes is a really good run in the playoffs + the improvement of young players like Rubio or lillard + a FO that shows they can/will make moves + the ability to re-sign them for more money than anyone else. Again, unless either team KNOWS they're going to suck for the next couple years I just don't see them trading until February before the summer they no longer have control over them.
The Rockets are a running team, Gasol doesn't fit with our style of play at all. Who is going to help Asik when lebron and dwade is storming towards the basket? Would you rather put your money on j.smith blocking the shot or gasol? Were trying to win a championship and Gasol is not the guy to push us over the hump because he has a smooth post game. Defense wins Championships!
I'd be very happy with a decision like that, no need to strangle yourself with a contract like Smith. I still think Pau has a few good years left in the tank he's just being misused and he's been uninspired. He's been a true pro his whole career though and he'd be a good leader for the younger guys. Worst case, he's washed up and you let him go at the end of the year/best case he gives you fringe all star production and maybe you look to re-sign him to a cap friendly contract.
Miami didn't need s&t's, it was the only team with room for all of them, they could have signed them straight up, they did s&t's to get the players more money and as part of professional courtesy (give the team a max TPE instead of them getting absolutely nothing)
The fascination on this message board with pairing a 32 year old Pau Gasol with a high paced Rockets team is just incredible to me. Let it go, already.
Imagine the "big" lineup if the Rockets gave Howard a contract in the off-season, 5- Asik 4- Howard 3- Robinson 2- Parsons 1- Harden Ridiculous.
Barkley was 33 when we got him. KG was 31 when he went to the Celtics. And we're only talking about a one year commitment. If we strike out FA, I see no real risk in taking Pau on for a year if the Lakers want to shed his contract. Part of the reason we play so fast is because we don't have a guy to throw the ball to on the block. On nights when the half-court offense is stagnant, having a guy who can score and pass from the post would be a nice safety valve. That said, I'm also in the camp that believes that Pau's biggest problem right now is the system he's in.
Yeah, I'd make an exception if a 32 year old Pau looked anything remotely close to Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
Barkley was 33...and we were a plodding team not built on pace. It was isolation ball...get the ball to chuck..dribble dribble backin' it up...backin' it up. Entirely different style of play than the Rockets play with Harden. Totally different focus. Different rules, too, I might add. This is a franchise that just decided to go even younger with Thomas Robinson. I don't see the addition of Pau making sense. I didn't before..but I really don't see that now after the passage of two more years.
Is there any reason to believe Harden and co. can't thrive in a half court offense if we were to add a consistent low post scoring threat? Without even talking about his ability to score when isolate on the low block, I think a Harden/Gasol screen and roll combo would be deadly. Again, I don't see the issue with bringing him in for one year if the big name FAs aren't available. Worst case he's a huge expiring contract. Best case he adds 8-10 wins and gives TRob some time to develop without having the weight of having to contribute right away. We're talking about a stop gap that could immediately make the team better with little long-term risk.
Why worry, i already said, sign CP3 and trade Lin and Asik for Howard. One of young PFs are going to develop. And next year we win championship. CP3 Harden Parsons Robinson/DMo/Terrence Howard Actually, we dont need great PF with these four players, just put one of them to catch CP3 aley oop .
Gasol Sucks Gasol sucks and he is old. Morey just completely rebuilt this team and its full of young talent. Why bring in a old guy who is on his way out of the league.
