Rumor: Rondo/O'Neal for Gasol

[Roy H.]

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.

I agree with this assessment. However, this trade will only make sense if we find a way to lure Deron Williams over the summer. Not sure whether we have cap space for a max contract if we take on Gasol's 19 million, though.

We'd have the space, assuming Bass moves on.  The issue would be if we elect to use cap space, we'd have to renounce KG, Ray, Green, Bass, etc.  We'd probably be better off bringing our own free agents back and using the MLE, rather than signing one guy.

[Eddie20]

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.

I agree with this assessment. However, this trade will only make sense if we find a way to lure Deron Williams over the summer. Not sure whether we have cap space for a max contract if we take on Gasol's 19 million, though.

who exactly are we missing out on, koz, if we lose our capspace in a Gasol trade? FA is not setup with franchise players...

That's where I stand on this too. If Love, Paul where available, or if Howard or Williams had shown even modest interest in the C's, then you go for the prize during the summer. Since that didn't occur I think we would be much better served to alter that plan and sign players to 2 year deals to expire in 2014 along with Gasol and Pierce.

[Birdman]

No way I would include Bass. If they do, this trade be worst than the Perkins trade!!

[kozlodoev]

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.

I agree with this assessment. However, this trade will only make sense if we find a way to lure Deron Williams over the summer. Not sure whether we have cap space for a max contract if we take on Gasol's 19 million, though.

who exactly are we missing out on, koz, if we lose our capspace in a Gasol trade? FA is not setup with franchise players...

Deron Williams, as stated in the first sentence of my post.

[greg_kite]

Considering Pau would be the 2nd best center in the east and would get the C's lots of easy baskets I think it's a no brainer.  There are so many good point guards in the league, especially point guards that could fit in better.  I think a guy who can just hit open threes and play solid defense would be a better fit than a guy who dominates the ball on a team with three other all star level players.

Bradley or Dooling + Pau in the starting lineup is better than Rondo and J.O.  Is Rondo going to get you past Chicago or Miami?  No.  Is Pau?  Maybe.  I like KG and Pau vs. Boozer and Noah or Bosh and Joel Anthony.

And who knows, maybe if we have to include Bass we can pick up Blake or Fisher.

[Eddie20]

No way I would include Bass. If they do, this trade be worst than the Perkins trade!!

I don't mind losing Bass. I think he'll get overpaid this summer, at least more than the 4M per he is currently getting, and he'll leave without compensation anyways. And say we do sign him long term, what does that mean for the future of JJ? Blakely speculated that the reason Delonte West was not re-signed was that the C's wanted to give Bradley a legit shot. If that mindset is true, wouldn't it apply in Bass' case as well? Both Bass & JJ are pure 4's, and neither is physically capable to slide to the 5.

[JOMVP]

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7mff9m8

I feel pretty confident about this roster. Sessions is still a pretty consistent PG contributor.

LA would probably have to throw in their first rounder to Cleveland so they are willing to take on Dooling's salary.

[Vermont Green]

First, any argument that is made that includes "because then we can't Dwight Howard" is a bit silly I think because our chance of getting him is very slim.  Is it smart to pass on a good trade because we might get him?  Sign and trades still work anyway and we could just include Gasol (same logic for Deron Williams).

Second, maybe the Lakers will try to package Rondo and Bynum for Howard (and my opinion is they can have Howard as I think he is a clown).  A PG and a big (both young) make more sense than a young big and an oldish big.

Third, Bass is not good enough to be a trade poison pill.  I like Bass but he is a career back-up.

[Vermont Green]

Also, I recall that Mitch K. was very obtuse the other day when he made a statement about the possibility of trading Gasol.  It seems realistic that something is going down.

It is hard to believe that the Lakers want Rondo (at least for themselves).  They know better than anyone that he doesn't need to be defended.  That is why I predicted above that the Lakers are going to package Rondo with Bynum to get Howard and Hego.

[goCeltics]

Also, I recall that Mitch K. was very obtuse the other day when he maid a statement about the possibility of trading Gasol.  It seems realistic that something is going down.

It is hard to believe that the Lakers want Rondo (at least for themselves).  They know better than anyone that he doesn't need to be defended.  That is why I predicted above that the Lakers are going to package Rondo with Bynum to get Howard and Hego.

I guy that scores 15 points a game and averages 10 assist doesn't need to be defended? 

[cman88]

Also, I recall that Mitch K. was very obtuse the other day when he maid a statement about the possibility of trading Gasol.  It seems realistic that something is going down.

It is hard to believe that the Lakers want Rondo (at least for themselves).  They know better than anyone that he doesn't need to be defended.  That is why I predicted above that the Lakers are going to package Rondo with Bynum to get Howard and Hego.

I guy that scores 15 points a game and averages 10 assist doesn't need to be defended? 

just imagine if this move is what ends up leading to the lakers being a top team again and winning a championship(tieing the celtics for 17)...you think the perkins-trade backlash was bad??

either way, I just cant see Ainge having watched the first half of the season sitting back and saying "this big 3 still has another run in them! let me go trade my future/capspace for a 31Y/o PF on the decline so we can make a run at it!"

the fact that the Bulls apparantly offered Boozer/Cj watson for gasol shows that his value has dropped..in a year or 2 I cant see any team wanting to have a 33 y/o PF..much like no one would want Garnett with that contract

[Swoopz]

If this doesn't work out for us, we'll be left with a team full of 30+ year olds for another couple years. If it doesn't work out for the Lakers, they'll still have Rondo and Bynum to rebuild with.

Plus, unless our big 3 start playing significantly better, Gasol or anyone else not named Lebron, Dwight, etc. will be able to pull this team to a championship this year.

[goCeltics]

deron and dwight are a package much better chance of landing both than one of them. If gasol come here after his trade kicker would take his salary to about $23, and paul is 17 million next year combined would be $40 mil, barely enough cap to sign one max fa

Btw gasol is now only 4 years younger than lafrentz is now and probably has more owing to him then when we traded for raef.

[birdbrady]

If this doesn't work out for us, we'll be left with a team full of 30+ year olds for another couple years. If it doesn't work out for the Lakers, they'll still have Rondo and Bynum to rebuild with.

Man I just don't know how many more times this needs to be pointed out:

Gasol is easily moveable.

We will not be "stuck" with him.  This guy is no bum.  He  is highly valued around the league and plays a premium position.

[cman88]

If this doesn't work out for us, we'll be left with a team full of 30+ year olds for another couple years. If it doesn't work out for the Lakers, they'll still have Rondo and Bynum to rebuild with.

Man I just don't know how many more times this needs to be pointed out:

Gasol is easily moveable.

We will not be "stuck" with him.  This guy is no bum.  He  is highly valued around the league and plays a premium position.

30+ year old Power forwards with a 20million$ contract are not easily movable...look at Kevin Garnett

the Bulls are offering CJ watson and boozer for him...thats his current value. in 1-2 years it will be even less