Historically, the Los Angeles Laker’s have always been one of the most talked about franchises in the NBA. Most recently, the issues and storylines surrounding the Lakers are far from the usual. The Lakers’ headlines usually contained words like success, championship, contender, and words of praise or support. In the past two to three years, Lakers’ headlines have contained words like drama, problems, worries, concerns and words of criticism and judgment.
It has been difficult having to watch such a historical franchise hit such a rough transition period. From the death of Jerry Buss, to barley making last years playoffs last year, to the lose of Dwight Howard and the injury to Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant, the past two to three years have been quick difficult for the Lakers.
Ever since the lose of Phil Jackson and getting swept by the Dallas Mavericks, in the Western Conference Semi-Finals, the Lakers have been in turmoil. Kobe Bryant has already declared that after he is gone, the Clippers will be Los Angeles’s team.
So, what can the Lakers to do to smoothen this transition? One option they are looking at is trading away Pau Gasol.
Courtesy: USA Today
Recently, Mike D’Antoni, Lakers’ head coach, called out Gasol over his level of effort. Gasol was notably unhappy last year in D’Antoni’s system, next to Dwight Howard. This year, he still seems uncomfortable in D’Antoni’s system. This was one of the major concerns when bringing in him as a new coach, his system and its affect on players.
Gasol feels he is not utilized his system, the Lakers have hit another rough patch and are currently 10-12 and out of playoff contention. After their loss, to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kobe Bryant said he wasn’t worried about his team but before the All-Star break, the Lakers have to make a big move to improve their level of play and chances at making the playoffs. A trade could not hurt the Lakers as they also have to prepare for when Kobe Bryant is no longer with them.
Gasol is currently has 1 year and $ 19.3 Million left on his contract. Right now, with injuries to Steve Nash and Steve Blake, the Lakers have Kobe bringing the ball up as point guard. Nash still seems uncertain on a return date and so does Blake. So, the Lakers’s biggest need is at the point guard spot.
The Lakers have not been the only team to be having trade rumors right now but I believe if the Lakers cannot get it together, a trade with Gasol is one of their best options. A trade for a point guard and some draft picks could go a long way for the Lakers.
It has been rumored if Gasol puts in more effort they are willing to resign him, if and only if he becomes an asset in D’Antoni’s system. I’m going to look at it from a realistic point of view. Gasol has been in this system for two years, the first year Dwight Howard was his scapegoat. Now, Pau can only look to himself for answers but how long exactly will Los Angeles wait for him to improve his style of play. Realistically, he’s been struggling for more than a year in this system and realistically, he has been complaining about this system for more than a year.
Kobe thinks Gasol could benefit from weight loss. I believe all this does is add pressure to Gasol. Kobe said it would help him, I’m sure the Lakers’s front office is looking at this and saying even Kobe is noticing the lack of performance.
The best and most realistic way to look at this gives the Lakers two options:
1) Trade Gasol before the All-Star break and deadline 2) Play the season out and re-sign or do not re-sign him depending on performance. It may seem like the Lakers have the luxury of some time to make this decision but every game they loss carries substantial impact on how the season ends.
I think the Lakers have to look at their options differently than most franchises. When you’re a historically winning team and Kobe Bryant is on your team, you have to make the playoffs.
To bring it to light, who can get the Lakers into the playoffs, Kobe+Gasol or Kobe+another player. Now, let the Kobe fans comment with he can do it alone but coming back off an injury and playing point guard, with an unhappy Pau Gasol, I do not think Kobe can get them in the playoffs. The extra baggage and drama is just weighing them.
I do not want to sound like Gasol is washed up; I believe he has a lot left to give on the court. For his career, he is averaging 18.3PPG and 9.2RPG but I’m not sure he is the player for D’Antoni’s and the Lakers’s system.
Right now, the Lakers are on a timed clock with what they should do with Pau Gasol.
All statistics credited to basketball-reference and nba.com
