POP: gasol deal incomprehensible

[nowagimp]

Interesting that Gregg Popovich has now spoken up on the Lakers aqiring gasol for 3 packs of cigarettes and a free movie pass.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3239478

I guess that all around the NBA people are now speaking of other deals what were offered for gasol. Apparently the griz just wanted to tank it for this year and get the pick and have big free agent money.

 

[abomb]

Sounds like sour grapes. I expect more class from Pop, especially how the Spurs stole Nazr Mohammed from the Knicks a few years ago.

 

[jbeecham]

Sounds like sour grapes. I expect more class from Pop, especially how the Spurs stole Nazr Mohammed from the Knicks a few years ago.

I think the entire NBA world questioned Memphis's motivation on the Gasol trade. I'm not surprised he's the 1st coach to come out publicly because Popovich is an ass. I'm sure he's doing it to try to gain some mental edge over the Lakers or to get into the refs heads (the refs seem to listen to him) so they call more fouls against the Lakers.

I think most people would really like to know the truth behind what caused Memphis to trade their top player for scrubs & picks. It's pretty documented that other teams made inquiries and supposedly offered better packages and their phone calls were never returned. The rumors have been out there that David Stern had a hand in this to make the Lakers relevant again and try to get a LA-Boston finals.

 

[abomb]

I think the entire NBA world questioned Memphis's motivation on the Gasol trade. I'm not surprised he's the 1st coach to come out publicly because Popovich is an ass. I'm sure he's doing it to try to gain some mental edge over the Lakers or to get into the refs heads (the refs seem to listen to him) so they call more fouls against the Lakers.

Yeah, agree on Pop. The next time he wins a mental game against PJ, it will be the first time.

I think most people would really like to know the truth behind what caused Memphis to trade their top player for scrubs & picks. It's pretty documented that other teams made inquiries and supposedly offered better packages and their phone calls were never returned. The rumors have been out there that David Stern had a hand in this to make the Lakers relevant again and try to get a LA-Boston finals.

Those rumors seem completely ludicrous. MEM owner Michael Hensley has said flat out that the Lakers offer had the most attractive offer in expiring contracts (Brown) and young players (Critt + picks). He is positioning to sell the team and no new owner wants to be saddled with Gasol's contract. Recall the Suns made a slew of similar moves before the sale to Sarver.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Probably the same reason the Celtics turned down better offers to send KG to Boston. Same reason the Lakers turned down better offers to send Shaq to Miami. I imagine Memphis asked Gasol where he preferred to be traded and made an accommodation as a 'thank you' for being the face of the Grizzlies franchise for many years.

 

[The Man In Black]

So Memphis ONLY contacted LAL and no one else?

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02102008/sports/grizz_led_vets_12598.htm

From what I gather from communicating with numerous GMs, other than the Lakers not a single team was approached regarding Gasol's manifest availability. Had they been, there's every reason to believe the Grizzlies could've gleaned more.

 

[Louis]

From Peter Vecsey (so take this with a grain of salt)

Sunday, Feb 10, 2008 7:32 am EST
New York Post columnist Peter Vecsey called the deal that sent Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers "the Memphis Grizzlies' tax-deductible donation to the Lakers.''

Vecsey reported that other than the Lakers not a single team was approached regarding Gasol's manifest availability. Had they been, there's every reason to believe the Grizzlies could've gleaned more. At the very least, there's no way Gasol should've been traded for next to nothing except promises of something to come unless Brian Cardinal's contract ($6.3M/$6.7M after this year) was part of the outgoing package.

Guaranteed, Pat Riley would've said "yes" to that in a heartbeat, as evidenced by the Shaq deal. Phoenix insisted Miami assume Marcus Banks' remaining three ($4.2M/$4.55M/$4.847M) years after this one. I assure you, that would've been a Steve Kerr stipulation no matter where Shawn Marion wound up.

Source: New York Post

 

[Roger L]

Interesting quote from the same man who tanked a season for a shot at the Tim Duncan lottery...

 

[jbeecham]

He is positioning to sell the team and no new owner wants to be saddled with Gasol's contract. Recall the Suns made a slew of similar moves before the sale to Sarver.

What new owner is going to want to buy the absolute worst team in the NBA? Their team salary will be lower after this season, but no free agents are going to want to play there.

Their starting lineup is:
PG: Mike Conley
SG: Mike Miller (their taking trade offers for him)
SF: Rudy Gay (last year of his contract)
PF: Kwame Brown/Hakeem Warrick (last year on both their contracts)
C: Darko Milicic

They only have 6 guys under contract next season and 2 of them are expensive contracts for horrible players in Brian Cardinal $5.85 mil for 2 more years & Jason Collins $6.1 mil for 1 more year. I'm assuming they'll extend Rudy Gay if they can and maybe Hakeem Warrick, but the rest of their bench next year will probably consist of D-league players.

 

[abomb]

What new owner is going to want to buy the absolute worst team in the NBA? Their team salary will be lower after this season, but no free agents are going to want to play there.

Are you kidding me? There will be a dozen potential interests in the NBA franchise. Someone (or group) will purchase it and try to move it.

Their starting lineup is:
PG: Mike Conley
SG: Mike Miller (their taking trade offers for him)
SF: Rudy Gay (last year of his contract)
PF: Kwame Brown/Hakeem Warrick (last year on both their contracts)
C: Darko Milicic

They only have 6 guys under contract next season and 2 of them are horrible contracts in Brian Cardinal $5.85 mil for 2 more years & Jason Collins $6.1 mil for 1 more year. I'm assuming they'll extend Rudy Gay if they can and maybe Hakeem Warrick (if he'll accept 4-5mil per season), but the rest of their bench next year will probably consist of D-league players.

Again, you proved my point. Any new owner is going to want the cleanest slate possible to start anew. They dont want a bunch of dead-weight contracts on the books. This has been proven time and time again in the NBA.

How's about we go halfers on the Grizz? I have a couple bucks to spare.

 

[slinslin]

Why am I the only one who remembers the league nixing a Mutombo to Phoenix deal with I think Atlanta or Denver in the 90s because apparently we weren't giving up enough?

And Popovic is right..

They got capspace with no quality free agent willing to go there anyway.

2 worthless late first round picks that could be bought anyway in any draft.

A likely bust in Crittenton when they have 3 young PGs already anyway.

A european player former, 2nd round pick, who has no real NBA skills.

 

[jbeecham]

If I was going to buy the Grizzlies, I'd want Pau Gasol there to at least have a bargaining chip to help rebuild the team. For them to pass up or refuse to even listen to better offers sounds very fishy to everyone outside of LA. Wasn't Chicago offering a deal before the season started of Ben Gordon & Tyrus Thomas for Pau (or something similar)?

 

[abomb]

Why am I the only one who remembers the league nixing a Mutombo to Phoenix deal with I think Atlanta or Denver in the 90s because apparently we weren't giving up enough?

And Popovic is right..

They got capspace with no quality free agent willing to go there anyway.

2 worthless late first round picks that could be bought anyway in any draft.

The Suns selling this year too?

A likely bust in Crittenton when they have 3 young PGs already anyway.

MEM is moving him to SG, which is more natural given his size. Critt was getting burn at SG, backing up Kobe in LA.

A european player former, 2nd round pick, who has no real NBA skills.

Nearly every report counters this claim. Many scouts have said he would be a first-rounder if he came out this year and he is the best player in the league he currently plays in.

 

[nowagimp]

Probably the same reason the Celtics turned down better offers to send KG to Boston. Same reason the Lakers turned down better offers to send Shaq to Miami. I imagine Memphis asked Gasol where he preferred to be traded and made an accommodation as a 'thank you' for being the face of the Grizzlies franchise for many years.

The wolves got decent talent for KG, not equal but decent. Al Jefferson is a 20/10 guy, one of 5 in the NBA. The lakers got lamar odom, caron butler and a 1st for shaq, the talent was there for the lakers.

I think that what bothers me for memphis is that it looks like a deliberate tank for this years draft, get the best pick. I mean install Kwame at center in place of gasol on a bad team already and it looks like a tank. After the season, it wouldnt be as disurbing. Maybe there should some kind of review of trades as in other sports. I do think stern may be salivating over a celtics/lakers final with kobe/kg. I like to hear pop whine because its a public admission of spurs competitive problems, but I dont think that particular trade should have been allowed. The grizz should have been forced to take on some talent in the deal, at least somebody who will be playing in a year or two..

 

[jbeecham]

Why am I the only one who remembers the league nixing a Mutombo to Phoenix deal with I think Atlanta or Denver in the 90s because apparently we weren't giving up enough?

I thought about that too and the difference is that this deal makes the Lakers better so it is OK in David Stern's eyes.

 

[slinslin]

Nearly every report counters this claim. Many scouts have said he would be a first-rounder if he came out this year and he is the best player in the league he currently plays in.

I've seen him play many times and if he was all that he would have been a first rounder before too but he just isn't.

He has no athleticism or quickness and is as soft as his brother.

Luis Scola dominated on a much higher level than Gasol and he is nothing more than an average role player.

 

[Renz]

A likely bust in Crittenton when they have 3 young PGs already anyway.

What are you basing that statement on? Crittenton is 6'5"/200lbs. and can play both G positions. He has played in only 25 NBA games, averaging 8.1 minutes/game and 3.5 ppg. How is he a "likely bust".

 

[slinslin]

You answered your own question, don't you think.

 

[Renz]

You answered your own question, don't you think.

No. Are first round picks usually labeled busts after 25 games?

 

[BeeBeard]

Pop just can't wrap his head around it because every trade his own organization has made was to try to make the team more competitive.

Once you realize that the Gasol deal was never meant to be an equitable trade, but a cash dump intended to make the Grizzlies easier to sell, then it all starts making a lot more sense.

 

[asudevil83]

you know what i find absolutely hilarious about this trade?

the fact that we flat out GAVE Seattle that package for NOTHING

KT>>>>Kwame
2 firsts = 2 firsts

and what did we get out of it? a laugh

 

[slinslin]

No. Are first round picks usually labeled busts after 25 games?

25 games of showing nothing and the rest DNPs I'd say yes. Clearly his value didnt go up any and he was a late first rounder to begin with.
To top it off Memphis had no need for him and will likely not give him much time either.

Chances are high.

 

[D-Dogg]

You answered your own question, don't you think.

No, he didn't. Burden of proof is on you.

Critt looked great out there when he got playing time. He's going to be a really, really good player. It sucked to have to let him go, but Farmar's improvement meant that Critt was dealable. They would have rather liked to keep him. The fact that Phil played him as much as he did was surprising to me.

He's a very skilled player.

 

[Maligzar]

Pop is the biggest hypocrite ever. They have Michael Finley and Damon Stoudemire; how the hell can they complain about bad trades? Teams simply RELEASED these guys so they could sign with the Spurs; talk about dirty pool....

 

[Bufalay]

I thought about that too and the difference is that this deal makes the Lakers better so it is OK in David Stern's eyes.

nice