Los Angeles Lakers need a change; can Pau Gasol-Kevin Love trade help - NBA Special Report
The Los Angeles Lakers seems to have quite a lot of problems with their current roster. From Andrew Bynum’s no trust comments to Kobe Bryant’s reservations over the hiring of coach Mike Brown, Los Angeles’s prime franchise seems to be in a mess on the court and off it. But, in the midst of all those controversies, one cannot forget the lack of coordination between the two bigs Andrew Bynum and power forward Pau Gasol throughout the postseason. The duo affected team performance overall and made a significant impact in reducing the ‘Bryant-affect’ considerably.
The Lakers stand nowhere without Gasol, true, but again the team needs some changing in the line up for the next season. The current starters have lived their prime and the combination at the Staples centre is no longer deemed as a threat to the elite teams of the league.
No doubt Bryant-Gasol combo is a match winning one but giving up Gasol is perhaps the only option at this stage. The most suitable good riddance, as Kobe wants, would mean getting rid of Andrew Bynum and bringing in a more suitable big. But then again, trading Bynum would simply mean going against the team owner – Jim Buss.
If Gasol, the player with whom Lakers won two consecutive NBA Championships, is actually traded, the Lakers will surely look at an equally matched trade. With Dwight Howard out of the scope for yet another year, this could come in the shape of Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love. But, Love has not got the experience under his belt and adding Minnesota’s no. two pick in the June 23rd draft in the deal would not be asking for too much. Even with his recent struggles, Gasol is the leading power forward in the league.
This trade, at first, might sound insane but once you think about it, it might not be a bad stop for the players and the franchises. After all, Love has been trying to drag along his team through tight spots for too long now. It’s high time that the All-Star be given a chance to rise and prove himself in a team he surely deserves - the Los Angeles Lakers. Plus, Lakers would be granted with young energy in the offence. Minnesota on the other hand will land the much wanted on court leader on their court, one who can carry their young roster. In addition to that, Gasol’s addition to the Timberwolves’ roster can also ease their rookie, and Gasol’s fellow Spanish countrymen, Ricky Rubio’s transition into NBA.
It might be a blessing in disguise for Gasol. Throughout his Lakers stint, Gasol has shared the lime-light with other Lakers superstars. The trade for once may allow him to run a one man show and build the team around him. In affect he will ‘own’ a team.
Hence, the trade might give Gasol, the Timberwolves, Love and the Lakers an edge. Still, nothing can be said as of now and we can just wait and see what the team front desks have in store for us.
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