Would Orlando do Pau for Dwight straight up or would LA have to take on Arenas and send something else back in return? 

It would depend on what they are being offered elsewhere. But it's a definite maybe that they'd take Pau straight up for Dwight Howard.

If Bynum or Odom is added to the package, or Bynum and Odom instead of Pau, it's difficult to see teams topping that offer.

Pau Gasol is a top 15 player in this league. Generally considered a top 5 big man. Is only 30 years old and could easily have 4-5 more years at an All-NBA level.

He is a hugely valuable asset to any team that wants to win in the immediate + short term future.

Would Atlanta offer Josh Smith and Crawford? 

Quote from: wdleehi on May 09, 2011, 12:12:58 PM

Would Atlanta offer Josh Smith and Crawford? 

Wow. A Horford/Howard front line would be sick.

I meant for Gasol.


A Gasol/Horford front line. 


LA then uses Smith as PF and Crawford as a triangle PG.

Quote from: Lucky17 on May 09, 2011, 12:14:55 PM

Quote from: wdleehi on May 09, 2011, 12:12:58 PM

Would Atlanta offer Josh Smith and Crawford? 

Wow. A Horford/Howard front line would be sick.

I meant for Gasol.


A Gasol/Horford front line. 


LA then uses Smith as PF and Crawford as a triangle PG.

I think Pau Gasol offers the Lakers more.

I like Pau's ability to play the four and five and the advantages that gives LA matchup wise over Smith's ability to play 3 and 4. A Pau/Odom partnership is more effective than a Smith/Odom partnership.

Plus, Pau Gasol is a much greater individual talent to J.Smith + I prefer L.Odom to J.Smith as a power forward.

I would consider a young up and coming player like Josh Smith for Pau Gasol if LA were rebuilding around Bynum ... but I think that is premature. They are still a title threat.

-----------------------------------------

Jamal Crawford would be somewhat interesting. He did fairly well in the Triangle when he was back in Chicago (under Bill Cartwright). Albeit a lousy defender and a ball-stopper.

Still, the Lakers should try and pursue him in free agency. He could be a guy who misses out on a big contract (given his age and highly unbalanced game) and decides to accept the MLE instead.

Quote from: Who on May 09, 2011, 12:26:35 PM

Quote from: wdleehi on May 09, 2011, 12:15:58 PM

Quote from: Lucky17 on May 09, 2011, 12:14:55 PM

Quote from: wdleehi on May 09, 2011, 12:12:58 PM

Would Atlanta offer Josh Smith and Crawford? 

Wow. A Horford/Howard front line would be sick.

I meant for Gasol.


A Gasol/Horford front line. 


LA then uses Smith as PF and Crawford as a triangle PG.

I think Pau Gasol offers the Lakers more.

I like Pau's ability to play the four and five and the advantages that gives LA matchup wise over Smith's ability to play 3 and 4. A Pau/Odom partnership is more effective than a Smith/Odom partnership.

Plus, Pau Gasol is a much greater individual talent to J.Smith + I prefer L.Odom to J.Smith as a power forward.

I would consider a young up and coming player like Josh Smith for Pau Gasol if LA were rebuilding around Bynum ... but I think that is premature. They are still a title threat.

-----------------------------------------

Jamal Crawford is interesting. He did fairly well in the Triangle when he was back in Chicago (under Bill Cartwright).

The Lakers should try and pursue him in free agency. He could be a guy who misses out on a big contract (given his age and highly unbalanced game) and decides to accept the MLE instead.

I think the Lakers, coming off a series where Marc Gasol outplayed Pau, would be very happy to get Josh Smith and Crawford for Pau.  Pau may be the best player in the deal, but not by a ton anymore due to age and wear and tear.   A Josh Smith motivated by Kobe would be quite an asset, as would the needed offense from Crawford.  If I were Atlanta I'd ask for a draft pick or a young guy (Ebanks?) before pulling the trigger....

Basically I agree with the TNT post-game analysis that the Lakers need more athleticism and speed in particular.

Let's not over-react to a bad showing in the playoffs

Pau Gasol is still a fantastic basketball player.

Quote from: wiley on May 09, 2011, 12:34:00 PM

Quote from: Who on May 09, 2011, 12:26:35 PM

Quote from: wdleehi on May 09, 2011, 12:15:58 PM

Quote from: Lucky17 on May 09, 2011, 12:14:55 PM

Quote from: wdleehi on May 09, 2011, 12:12:58 PM

Would Atlanta offer Josh Smith and Crawford? 

Wow. A Horford/Howard front line would be sick.

I meant for Gasol.


A Gasol/Horford front line. 


LA then uses Smith as PF and Crawford as a triangle PG.

I think Pau Gasol offers the Lakers more.

I like Pau's ability to play the four and five and the advantages that gives LA matchup wise over Smith's ability to play 3 and 4. A Pau/Odom partnership is more effective than a Smith/Odom partnership.

Plus, Pau Gasol is a much greater individual talent to J.Smith + I prefer L.Odom to J.Smith as a power forward.

I would consider a young up and coming player like Josh Smith for Pau Gasol if LA were rebuilding around Bynum ... but I think that is premature. They are still a title threat.

-----------------------------------------

Jamal Crawford is interesting. He did fairly well in the Triangle when he was back in Chicago (under Bill Cartwright).

The Lakers should try and pursue him in free agency. He could be a guy who misses out on a big contract (given his age and highly unbalanced game) and decides to accept the MLE instead.

I think the Lakers, coming off a series where Marc Gasol outplayed Pau, would be very happy to get Josh Smith and Crawford for Pau.  Pau may be the best player in the deal, but not by a ton anymore due to age and wear and tear.   A Josh Smith motivated by Kobe would be quite an asset, as would the needed offense from Crawford.  If I were Atlanta I'd ask for a draft pick or a young guy (Ebanks?) before pulling the trigger....

Basically I agree with the TNT post-game analysis that the Lakers need more athleticism and speed in particular.

Let's not over-react to a bad showing in the playoffs

Pau Gasol is still a fantastic basketball player.

I agree.  But you have to give to get.  Imagine it from Atlanta's perspective.  You'd have to get a heck of a lot of production out of Pau to make up for losing Crawford's offense and Smith's defense and athleticism.  Agree Pau's best in the deal, but those are two of Atlanta's biggest cogs. 

Having said that, I spend a lot of time fairly down on Atlanta.  If Atlanta could get another body with at least some potential out of the deal I might do it.  Of course, depending on how the rest of this year goes for the Hawks.

How old is Pau by the way?