Rumor: Rondo/O'Neal for Gasol

[EJPLAYA]

I do this with Rondo and JO, but not with Bass unless I get a first rounder as well.

[SHAQATTACK]

If I'm DA , I sit back, and watch all this go down ...LA, NJ and Orlando ...
When it shakes out... go for who you can get.. just because a player lands on team , doesn't mean they want him or want to keep him .. I like our postion in this .....we don't have to dump anybody ....maybe a chance to pick up a top 15 player or so cheap .  People like MAvs will be unloading..all kinds of players will be shuffled.  

we just wait and see , let those teams , undercut each other, devalue their players buy trying for trades .. and this makes us look better when its our turn to make an offer.

I say take our lumps onthe court with what we got ...we can only get better down the road.

[cman88]

The good news about this trade rumor is that Danny recognizes that this team needs another legit big to compete and that the upcoming FA is not going to get you a better core than we have now in PP, Ray, and KG. They are not the problem. The "over-the-hill" mantra is just not right.

The bad news is that we'd have to give up Rondo to get the big.

I really think we should have been able to replace Perk without trading Rondo and I'm not sure why it hasn't happened. But maybe this at least means that Danny is willing to figure out a way to make another run with the Big 3 and POSSIBLY get a big without giving up Rondo.

generally NBA players who are over 34years old are over the hill and their skills decline..

pierce is shooting a career low, Ray allen cant run off screens like he used to..and KG is just a jumpshooter nowadays

instead of holding onto the big 3 like they are somehow going to transform to what they were 10, even 5years ago and prolong this..need to let go...

getting gasol pretty much takes us out of free agency the next 2 years...we would have 45million committed to  2 players...35year old paul pierce and 32year old Gasol

this would honestly set us back a few years rather than just let everyone come off the books and start new next year

[RJ87]

As I said on the frontpage: anyone who thinks this trade wouldn't be a gift for the Lakers is in denial.

A friend of mine (who is an AVID Lakers fan) and I were discussing this “rumor” and he was downright giddy about it.

Not even going with the age and salary differences, Rondo would fit in great in LA. The emergence of Bynum makes Pau the most expendable he’s been during his tenure in LA. The chance to pair Rondo and Bynum together would be a coup for LA – we’ve seen how great Rondo can be when he can work with a serviceable big man, he’d flourish with the 2nd best center in the league.

And as far as a Kobe/Rondo backcourt, I think it’d be fine, if not formidable. A lot may be made of Kobe’s unwillingness to not handle the ball so much but I think that’s baseless. Listen, I can’t stand Kobe. I think he’s a pompous jerk but the guy understands what’s needed to win championships. And what he needs his a good PG who can run an offense and get him better looks. Kobe has been the dominant ballhandler in LA this season by default, but he has made mention of the fact that he would like to limit the amount of ballhandling he does for the rest of season. I mean, this is guy who is open to bringing in Gilbert Arenas – you’re trying to tell me he wouldn’t welcome Rondo? DENIAL.

Honestly, a Kobe/Rondo partnership would probably be a lot better than the Pierce/Rondo tandem because Kobe is 1.) More consistent and aggressive 2.) A better all around player than Paul (love the captain, but this is a fact).

The problem with this team is that we're in year 5 of a 3-year plan. Stretching it out 2 more years just doesn't seem logical.

[Eddie20]

Here's my unbiased take on this from a Lakers fan. Even though Pau has been playing better lately, and even though he has surprisingly kept his stats close to what they have been when he was in his prime, he's just not as good as he was for us in 08-09 and in 09/10. Maybe some of this has to do with Kobe shot-jacking this season and Bynum getting a much bigger role, but it is what it is. With that said, I still think he's capable of playing great and playing at that high level consistently.

Conversely, even though I love Rondo's game and loved what he did against Cleveland especially, I think that the fit wouldn't be the most ideal on my team because of the lack of consistent outside shooting. Teams exceed tremendously defensively against the Lakers, by collapsing on Gasol, Bynum and Kobe (major plus for the other team is also that Kobe will sometimes still try to score over two players, and that's where he gets a lot of his bad shooting nights) and daring either their Point Guard, Shooting Guard or Bench to make a shot - So far, it's been really effective and it is, IMO, why the Lakers were beat so easily by the Mavericks last year. Just my take.

If you were Mitch Kupchak and a drunk Danny Ainge called proposed Rajon Rondo for Gasol trade. You'd be jumping for joy trying to finalize the deal before DA gains consciousness.

Overvaluing Rondo much?

We're talking about Celtics best player Vs Lakers 3rd best player. We're talking about

Don't agree with that logic. Gasol is better than the #1 player of most teams, just like the same can be said of Bosh.

[Roy H.]

As I said on the frontpage: anyone who thinks this trade wouldn't be a gift for the Lakers is in denial.

... or, in the alternative, that person isn't in denial at all, but simply has a different opinion than you do.

[cman88]

Here's my unbiased take on this from a Lakers fan. Even though Pau has been playing better lately, and even though he has surprisingly kept his stats close to what they have been when he was in his prime, he's just not as good as he was for us in 08-09 and in 09/10. Maybe some of this has to do with Kobe shot-jacking this season and Bynum getting a much bigger role, but it is what it is. With that said, I still think he's capable of playing great and playing at that high level consistently.

Conversely, even though I love Rondo's game and loved what he did against Cleveland especially, I think that the fit wouldn't be the most ideal on my team because of the lack of consistent outside shooting. Teams exceed tremendously defensively against the Lakers, by collapsing on Gasol, Bynum and Kobe (major plus for the other team is also that Kobe will sometimes still try to score over two players, and that's where he gets a lot of his bad shooting nights) and daring either their Point Guard, Shooting Guard or Bench to make a shot - So far, it's been really effective and it is, IMO, why the Lakers were beat so easily by the Mavericks last year. Just my take.

If you were Mitch Kupchak and a drunk Danny Ainge called proposed Rajon Rondo for Gasol trade. You'd be jumping for joy trying to finalize the deal before DA gains consciousness.

Overvaluing Rondo much?

We're talking about Celtics best player Vs Lakers 3rd best player. We're talking about

Don't agree with that logic. Gasol is better than the #1 player of most teams, just like the same can be said of Bosh.

I would even rather take Bosh than Gasol..

gasol is 32years old...he is going into decline soon

[Casperian]

After thinking about this idea long and hard all day, I would definitely do it.

Gasol is a better player, and a better fit. He could put us back on the map this year, and it´s much easier to find an adequate PG than a Center. If we assume we can´t get anything of value for the big three, then Rondo´s our most valuable trade chip, but there´s not much interest in his services around the league, apparently. If we decide to blow it up after this year, Gasol could get us the pieces we can´t get for Rondo.

The more I think about it, the more I like it (except the whole "trading with the purples" thingy, of course). Yes, I think this is a slam dunk, as Chris put it.

[cman88]

As I said on the frontpage: anyone who thinks this trade wouldn't be a gift for the Lakers is in denial.

... or, in the alternative, that person isn't in denial at all, but simply has a different opinion than you do.

na, its definitely a much better trade for the lakers...they get an Allstar Pointguard who is 26years old and an 11ppg PF in Bass..

all while dumping an aging Bigman in Gasol who has an albatross contract..it makes the Lakers better now, and going forward having 2 allstars in place.

all while the celtics get stuck spending $45million of capspace on 2 30+ players the next 2years.

danny would be insane to make this trade

[xmuscularghandix]

I honestly think that Gasol, Pierce, Garnett would be more likely to win it all THIS YEAR than with Rondo... but Gasol isn't as valuable looking forward.

Unless of course you can include him in an off season S/T with Dwight Howard.

btw a lot of you guys are really underrating Gasol. His per game numbers would put him top 3 on the Celtics in almost every category.

[Eddie20]

LakersFan...

I respect your opinion, but the primary reason that Gasol seems to have slipped is probably due to the emergence of Bynum. Gasol would really excel with us. He would be in the low post, surrounded by shooters, and the offense would run through him.

[cman88]

I honestly think that Gasol, Pierce, Garnett would be more likely to win it all THIS YEAR than with Rondo... but Gasol isn't as valuable looking forward.

Unless of course you can include him in an off season S/T with Dwight Howard.

btw a lot of you guys are really underrating Gasol. His per game numbers would put him top 3 on the Celtics in almost every category.

im not denying he is a great player...its the fact that he is highly overpaid at $20million and is on the wrongside of 30years old..

if he is younger or cheaper, I do it...but giving up Rondo/Bass for a 30+ gasol is too much...and does nothing other than just put off our rebuild for another 2 years.

time to let go of the big-3....their skills are declining. time to move forward rather than hold onto what isnt coming back...we're in year 5 of a 3year plan. and our current team with gasol(minus our consistent 6th man) with Bradley/dooling as our starter is NOT going to beat Miami/chicago

[Roy H.]

As I said on the frontpage: anyone who thinks this trade wouldn't be a gift for the Lakers is in denial.

... or, in the alternative, that person isn't in denial at all, but simply has a different opinion than you do.

na, its definitely a much better trade for the lakers...they get an Allstar Pointguard who is 26years old and an 11ppg PF in Bass..

all while dumping an aging Bigman in Gasol who has an albatross contract..it makes the Lakers better now, and going forward having 2 allstars in place.

all while the celtics get stuck spending $45million of capspace on 2 30+ players the next 2years.

danny would be insane to make this trade

Well, most people are debating the original "rumor" of Rondo + JO for Gasol, rather than adding Bass.  I would agree that you can't do this deal if Bass is involved.

However, even with Bass included, I don't think anybody is "in denial" about this trade idea.  Nobody is "insane".  This deal is within the ballpark of fair, and it's a matter of personal preference in terms of what side is doing better.

The Lakers get the younger guy with more long-term value, but the Celtics would be getting the perfect guy to complement their team.  Keep in mind, this past off-season Gasol was worth Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Goran Dragic, and a #1 pick.  That shows you how highly he's valued.

[Eddie20]

Here's my unbiased take on this from a Lakers fan. Even though Pau has been playing better lately, and even though he has surprisingly kept his stats close to what they have been when he was in his prime, he's just not as good as he was for us in 08-09 and in 09/10. Maybe some of this has to do with Kobe shot-jacking this season and Bynum getting a much bigger role, but it is what it is. With that said, I still think he's capable of playing great and playing at that high level consistently.

Conversely, even though I love Rondo's game and loved what he did against Cleveland especially, I think that the fit wouldn't be the most ideal on my team because of the lack of consistent outside shooting. Teams exceed tremendously defensively against the Lakers, by collapsing on Gasol, Bynum and Kobe (major plus for the other team is also that Kobe will sometimes still try to score over two players, and that's where he gets a lot of his bad shooting nights) and daring either their Point Guard, Shooting Guard or Bench to make a shot - So far, it's been really effective and it is, IMO, why the Lakers were beat so easily by the Mavericks last year. Just my take.

If you were Mitch Kupchak and a drunk Danny Ainge called proposed Rajon Rondo for Gasol trade. You'd be jumping for joy trying to finalize the deal before DA gains consciousness.

Overvaluing Rondo much?

We're talking about Celtics best player Vs Lakers 3rd best player. We're talking about

Don't agree with that logic. Gasol is better than the #1 player of most teams, just like the same can be said of Bosh.

I would even rather take Bosh than Gasol..

gasol is 32years old...he is going into decline soon

Technically he won't be 32 until the summer. Gasol is the type of player that ages well because he doesn't rely on athletic ability as much as he does on his incredible length combined with a vast skillset. Worst case scenario he starts showing decline during the 13-14 season, he would still have a great deal of trade value because of the huge expiring contract he'll have. LeBron has an opt out that summer and I'm sure teams will be dying to shed salary just for the chance to land him.

[SHAQATTACK]

Gasol has only a couple fullbore years left and he carries a big contract and I read that Bynum is scheduled for knee shots.

This doen't sound so attractive to Orlando is my guess.

But, IF THEY DO pull the trigger ....bAM!!

I think Danny might step in and get somebody with out trading ROndo....at least thas the approach I'd take.