Trades happen in every sport. All-star quality players pack their bags year in and year out. It's inevitable. They may leave your favorite team and yeah, it stinks. Whether it's for salary cap reasons or in the best interest of the organization (i.e. Ron Artest), these things happen. The Memphis Grizzlies and their most recent "blockbuster" transaction is a prime example.
This past week, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired an all-star player, Memphis' Pau Gasol. It was unfortunate for Grizzlies fans to see their beloved star leave for bigger and better things, especially because of what they got in return. They dealt Gasol and acquired Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, Marc Gasol - his younger brother - and two future first round NBA draft selections for 2008 and 2010.
For a struggling organization such as Memphis, the front office will often trade its highest-paid players for less expensive, younger ones hoping for a stronger team in the future. However, the outcome of this transaction will not improve the team, even after the 2010 draft. There are only two ways this team will improve from where it is now to 2010.
First, each of its first round draft picks (not the two from L.A.) from 2008, 2009 and 2010 need to be top-10 selections. That gives the Grizzlies at least two first round picks in 2008 and 2010, pending more trades before then.
Second, the Grizzlies need to acquire a true veteran who is willing to work with younger players. That doesn't seem too likely at the moment, since Memphis is on the "our only chance of getting to the playoffs depends on ticket availability" tier of the Western Conference - also known as the "our chance of getting to the playoffs is as good as Greg Oden's chance of being asked for identification when purchasing alcohol" tier. Veterans tend to go to title-contending teams anyway - a group Memphis has never been a part of.
McKie, who isn't even on the Grizzlies' roster as of Wednesday, would be their most experienced player if signed. Instead, on their current roster, their most NBA-experienced player is Mike Miller, an eighth-year player out of the University of Florida. Sorry, but Miller just doesn't cut it. I guess the only truly experienced veteran that exists in Memphis wears a visitor's uniform.
But none of that even matters because Miller is certain to be out of Memphis by 2010 anyway, as the Grizzlies will trade another high-salaried player and make room for more young "studs." Watch out for Rudy Gay, the eighth overall pick in the 2006 draft, to be departing from Memphis in the next few years as well. Ship him up to New York, baby!
On the other side of the trade, the Los Angeles Lakers have become a championship contender faster than a chugged beverage on Super Bowl Sunday.
In his first game as a Laker, Gasol proved that he and his new team are one of the elite squads in the league. On Tuesday, Los Angeles went to New Jersey and beat the Nets by 15 points, 105-90. The 7-footer had a great night: 35 minutes, 10-for-15 shooting from the field, 12 rebounds (six offensive), four assists and 24 points.
Four of five starters scored in double figures, and the only one who didn't was the one who used to wear No. 8 on his back. Kobe Bryant was held to six points on 3-for-13 shooting - his first game this season in which he scored less than 15 points. Although Bryant seemed non-existent in the box score, he played 40 minutes and helped his team win. His presence on the court is enough to help the Lakers put up a fight against anyone no matter how many points he scores, which is something that couldn't have been said two weeks ago. Although Bryant committed seven turnovers, he had five rebounds, two blocked shots and recorded a team-high eight assists, contributing any way he could.
When the emerging 20-year-old center Andrew Bynum - who is averaging a double-double this season through 35 games - returns, the Lakers will be a force in the front court. Bynum is more of a low-block, post-up player, while Gasol prefers to work around 12 feet and closer to the basket. These two and their contrasting playing styles should complement each other quite well.
When the Lakers are healthy, their starting five is near the top of the league; Derek Fisher and Bryant in the back court with Lamar Odom, Gasol and Bynum in the front is a very intimidating squad. It has size, power, good outside shooting and most importantly smart players. Oh, and they have a pretty smart coach, too.
Now with a legitimate possibility of winning another championship, a ring in 2008 wouldn't be just another notch on the old championship belt. Who knows though? The Lakers may not even wear a belt.
Joe Colombo's NBA column runs every Thursday.
Contact him at Joseph.Colombo@UConn.edu.
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