If you don't know you will soon.

I just was called by an unnamed source who tells me that Pau Gasol is now a Laker.

Apparently the trade, if this isn't bullshit is:

Lakers Get: Gasol

Griz get: Crittenton, Kwame Brown and 2 firsts.

Lakers trade Kwame Brown for Grizzlies' Gasol

By Mike Bresnahan, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
11:56 AM PST, February 1, 2008

The Lakers have acquired forward-center Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies for center Kwame Brown, guard Javaris Crittenton and a series of draft picks between the two teams, The Times has learned.

Gasol, 27, is averaging 18.9 points and 8.8 rebounds this season for the Grizzlies. He has expressed discontent in the past year with the Grizzlies (13-33) who have not been in playoffs since 2006 and have never won a playoff game since he was drafted in 2001.

He was the NBA's rookie of the year in 2001-02 and made the All-Star team in 2006. Gasol has three more years and an estimated $49 million on his contract. Brown's $9.1-million conract expires after this seasoon and Crittenton is a rookie.

Gasol would fill in at center until Andrew Bynum returns from a knee injury sometime in March. Gasol could then slide over to power forward when Bynum returns.

I'm a bit surprised that the Grizz wanted Crittenton when they already have a young PG to develop.

So they end up with what, 2 of the top 3 PGs in the last draft?

Yeah the Lakers look pretty scary now.

The Grizz, however, look like a bunch of vaginas.

Maybe this could be an opening for the Pistons? If they're ready to rebuild and need a center, I would take on Mike Miller's contract in a heartbeat. I hate him and he's a tool, but landing Miller would be huge. Miller off the bench would put us over the top.

Nice move.

That starting 5 when Bynum gets back is going to be fucking sick. Kobe, Odom, Bynum, Gasol? Wow.

Memphis fire sale.


Also today, a Grizzlies source said that forward Stromile Swift has been traded to the New Jersey Nets for center Jason Collins.

The Grizzlies and Nets have been discussing a deal for the past week, and it is expected to be finalized on Monday.

To that end, Swift had a meeting with Griz coach Marc Iavaroni and general manager Chris Wallace Friday, was sent home and did not practice with the team. Swift will not play in Saturday's game against Utah at FedExForum.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/feb/01/gasol-traded-lakers/

LMAO @ trading for Kwame Brown and Jason Collins.

Kwame and Darko Megabust were separated at birth, but they're together at last!

I wonder if Chicago makes a move now?

Ahem... if there is a firesale going on, Joe needs to move in!

More details.


Sources: Grizz sending Gasol to Lakers for Brown
ESPN.com news services
Updated: February 1, 2008, 3:37 PM ET

The Memphis Grizzlies will send Pau Gasol and a future second-round pick to the Lakers for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, the unofficially retired Aaron McKie , the draft rights to Pau Gasol's brother Marc and future first-round picks in 2008 and 2010, NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

It is believed that the Lakers would need to arrange a sign-and-trade for McKie to make the salary cap math work for the deal. McKie is not currently playing in the NBA but his rights are owneed by the Lakers.

According to The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal, which also reported the trade, the Grizzlies decided to move ahead with trading Gasol because the team felt it could not longer move ahead with him off or on the court -- and that the acquisition of Brown, who is earning $9,075,000 in the last year of his contract, would provide the franchise salary cap relief.

The Commercial Appeal also reported that the Grizzlies are sending Stromile Swift to the New Jersey Nets for center Jason Collins. The Grizzlies and Nets have been discussing that deal for the past week and expect to finalize it on Monday, according to the report.

Swift met with Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni and general manager Chris Wallace on Friday, was sent home and did not practice with the team and will not play in Saturday's game against Utah, the newspaper reported.

It's good to be Aaron McKie.

Glad he isn't a Bull at least. :)

The Memphis Grizzlies (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mem) will send Pau Gasol (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3513) and a future second-round pick to the Lakers for Kwame Brown (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3511), Javaris Crittenton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=4297), the unofficially retired Aaron McKie (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2640) , the draft rights to Pau Gasol's brother Marc and future first-round picks in 2008 and 2010, NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

It is believed that the Lakers would need to arrange a sign-and-trade for McKie to make the salary cap math work for the deal. McKie is not currently playing in the NBA but his rights are owned by the Lakers.According to The Commercial Appeal of Memphis, which also reported the trade, the Grizzlies decided to move ahead with trading Gasol because the team felt it could no longer move ahead with him off or on the court -- and that the acquisition of Brown, who is earning $9,075,000 in the last year of his contract, would provide the franchise salary cap relief.

The Commercial Appeal also reported that the Grizzlies are trading Stromile Swift (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3401) to the New Jersey Nets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=njn) for center Jason Collins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3530). The Grizzlies and Nets have been discussing that deal for the past week and expect to finalize it on Monday, according to the report.
Swift met with Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni and general manager Chris Wallace on Friday, was sent home and did not practice with the team and will not play in Saturday's game against Utah, the newspaper reported.
Marc Stein is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

Already posted, my good man.

oops my bad didn't see it

Not a biggie - I didn't label it very well, but I'll change it when Fool approves.

Damn. Fisher.Kobe.Odom.Gasol.Bynum with Farmar.Ariza.VladRad.Turiaf off the bench?

That is a sick team.

Let's have a contest and see who can bump this thread first when Gasol goes down with a significant injury.

Also the thread title, while very funny, is causing hella confusion, or so it appears.

Are you kidding me?

ESPN.com reporting Grizzlies get Kwame, Crittendon, LA's next 2 first rounders for Pau.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3226203

lol

What have you done, MoTown?

Wow!!

This is going to put them over the top.

What a lineup they'll have!!

Pau Gasol doesn't really fill any of our need areas(low post D), he can still score, pass, and rebound.

No more Kwame, which is enough to approve this trade. I'm sure he'll be happy vanting to play with Darko.

WOW!!! Nobody could come up with a better package than that?? Seems like a steal for the Lakers. I bet that Chicago is pissed!!!!!

Wow, they got him?

I'm more happy that we got rid of Kwame.


(Why not give this thread a little love too?)

What the hell is Memphis going to to with Lowry, Conley and Crittendon all playing PG? Move Javaris to SG and back up Gay?

pau is a pussy, but nice deal for the lakers. gonna help them get by with out andy

Wow. Apparently the Lakers have traded Kwame, Crittenton, and some picks to Memphis for Pau Gasol.

anyone else hear anything about this...?

Wow, you gotta be kidding me.

The Grizzlies have traded Pau Gasol today to the Los Angeles Lakers for center Kwame Brown, rookie guard Javaris Crittenton, guard Aaron McKie, the rights to Gasol's brother Marc, and first-round draft picks in 2008 and 2010, The Commercial Appeal has learned.
http://commercialappeal.com/news/2008/feb/01/gasol-traded-lakers/

That certainly makes them better.

Not a biggie - I didn't label it very well, but I'll change it when Fool approves.
[smilie=alpaca.gif]

MoTown is my favorite poster. This was hilarious. Huge props.

Also, way to be right about it when you did it.

MoTown, did your buddy text you the news?

I wonder if Grizz fans (if there are any) that bought Gasol jerseys are hoping that Marc Gasol gets Pau's old number.

I wouldn't count on it.

lol @ memphis

but even moreso, LOL @ chicago...

at the same time they're lucky though, they woulda gotten robbbbed

shit i was jus thinking:

chicago almost had either gasol/kg/kobe


and got neither

LOL.

i think EVERYONE assumed ben was part 1 of a 2 part plan. what the fuck did they get him for if they werent going to go "all in". a season of sucktitude is what you get for indicisiveness.

espn loves this deal for the lakers.

apparently, memphis owner is selling the team and wants to sell liabilities to increase worth.

crappy part of nba business.

I would agree with anyone that thinks the stage is set for the Pistons to grab Mike Miller. I think possibly a three way deal - not sure who the trading partner could be - would be the best bet.

I'll work on something and post it, either here or in the fun with trades area.

I'll be goddamned. I just read that the Grizz are going to actually use a roster spot on Aaron McKie, using him in the Lindsey Hunteresque player/coach role.

Somebody should swoop in and buy the Grizz and move them to Vegas.

They'll have cap flexibility, a ton of draft picks, etc.

There's also a lot of fear out there that the Lakers are now going to find a way to get Jason Kidd.

On the Lakers acquisition of Pau Gasol:

“I just saw this come across and I’m looking at it and looking at the numbers and I’m like, ‘Wow.’ Like wow, Merry Christmas man. I don’t know how much (Jerry West) has to do with that anymore though. I’m telling you, that new regime down there, this is all them. From the Memphis side, this is money man. This is a money deal here, because you may see them trade Stromile Swift as well, who has two years and about $12 million left on his contract. If you look at the amount of money that they’re dumping right now, this is a money dump right here.”

On his feelings if asked to dump money from an owner:

“It’s not a problem if you’re saying I don’t expect for us to contend. You can’t have both now. I would assume that if that owner from Memphis is saying, ‘Hey, look, we have way too much money, we have to dump a lot of this money,’ then I assume he’s also saying, ‘And I understand what the ramifications are.’ It’s only a problem if someone tells you to do that and then says, ‘But I want you to contend year in and year out.’ Well, you can’t do both now.”

My prediction:

Only the Wolves will have a worse record than the Grizzlies when the season ends (yes, the Heat and Sonics will end up having better records). Kwame Brown AND Jason Collins? *shudder*

My prediction:

Only the Wolves will have a worse record than the Grizzlies when the season ends (yes, the Heat and Sonics will end up having better records). Kwame Brown AND Jason Collins? *shudder*

Don't forget Busto.

ouch

It'll be interesting to see Kidd's reaction now that he has a PF that can move. It'll also be pretty interesting to see how Gasol responds to the triangle. The Zen Master historically isn't very fond of midseason trades.

It'll be interesting to see Kidd's reaction now that he has a PF that can move.


Stromile Swift? Get me the fuck out of here. NOW.

Maybe he can make stromile into a kmart type player...but most likely not.

If the Lakers can get Kidd without losing Bynum,Gasol, and Farmar...well fuck it the nba's rigged!

edit:

the grizzlies are beter off without gasol imo. They did play better without gasol as they did beat a healthy spurs team with gay hitting the game winning 3. His attitude on a losing team was a concern, despite the fact that his best friend was on the same team.

A team of

Conley/Crittenton
Navvaro/Lowry
Mike Miller/Warrick
RudyGay/Warrick
Darko/Stromile or Collins shouldnt get u the worst record in the league

It'll be interesting to see Kidd's reaction now that he has a PF that can move. It'll also be pretty interesting to see how Gasol responds to the triangle. The Zen Master historically isn't very fond of midseason trades.
Stromile has been a serious underachiever, but i guess he is a poor mans version of donkey mouth kenyon in kenyon's prime. Still not enough to keep Kidd happy I think.

Zen Master doesnt give a fuck about anything these days. He has so many rings he probably misplaces them and he came back to LA for the Pussy Jeanie Buss was throwing all up in his Zen. And since coming back he's been more "do my job with whatever i got, get my check, and not worry about shit else". So I think Gasol will find a rhythm in the Triangle by Playoffs. Its just a matter of how well he measures up to Duncan, Yao, Stoudemire, Boozer, and the other bigs in the west that'll make it a point to go at him.

I remember that I was pissed that Stro changed his mind and decided to go to LSU instead of Michigan.

Pretty happy about that now, in hindsight.

WALLACE ON LAKERS TRADE

February 2, 2008
By CHRIS SILVA
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

When Pau Gasol was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, the Lakers showed they’re a team committed to winning now.

At 29-16 overall and three games behind Phoenix in the Western Conference Pacific Division, the Lakers got a whole lot better.

“The more good players you can put around a guy like Kobe, he’s going to make those guys better,” coach Flip Saunders said. “They’re going to make him better because you can’t give as much attention to Kobe as you’d like to.”

Just like the Pistons did in 2004 when they acquired a missing piece in Rasheed Wallace, who helped them win an NBA championship, the Gasol trade should infuse more energy into an already talented Lakers’ team. And when budding center Andrew Bynum returns from injury, Los Angeles could be poised for a deep postseason run.

”It just boosts your morale big time,” Chauncey Billups said. “It’s like we were right there at the top of that level. We just needed something to get over the top. I’m sure they feel like that’s going to be their piece to get back on top, to get over the top.”

The acquisition of Gasol will allow the Lakers to play the triple post with Lamar Odom and Bynum, Saunders said.

“That’s a great trade for them,” Saunders said.

But as much talk the trade has conjured, one Piston wasn’t about to join the conversation.

“I could care less about that (stuff),” Wallace said. “It’s got nothing to do with me, it ain’t affecting me in no way. If it works for them, good. I’ll see them in June.”

(stuff), lol

Dear Ben,

You suck.

Sincerely,
The Mailman (in cursive)

T'Pau is scheduled to make his Laker debut in two hours against the Wiz.

Quick non- Kenny Smith analogy for you guys.

Marc Gasol is to Pau Gasol as MSU is to Michigan.

I get it. Marc Gasol, Mark Dantonio. Haha.

A team of

Conley/Crittenton/Lowry
Navvaro/Murray
RudyGay/Herrmann/Jacobson
Warrick/Andre Brown/Cardinal
Darko/Stromile/Kwame/Brezec
shouldnt get u the worst record in the league

Fixed for the inevitable Pistons trade :cornbread: (yeah right)

Quick non- Kenny Smith analogy for you guys.

Marc Gasol is to Pau Gasol as MSU is to Michigan.
bad bball analogy

I thought about going the Peyton/Eli route instead, but Eli's in the Super Bowl.

I thought about going the Peyton/Eli route instead, but Eli's the Super Bowl MVP.

bad bball analogy

:cogent:

Glenn = :dismissed:

Watch as the Lakers trade Odom and Farmar for Kidd.

I'd be pissed. Its not like they could trade NJ any picks in the deal. They gave them all to Memphis. If NJ accepts a deal like that, they're complete fools.

A three way is possible as Vince is also in trade rumors. The third team would accept Vince, probably the knicks.

Something like this...http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=136~429~3002~617~2421~2986~990 ~2782&teams=18~13~18~17~17~17~17~17&te=&cash=

Let's have a contest and see who can bump this thread first when Gasol goes down with a significant injury.

Bump?

Glenn wins. I didn't have access to a laptop until just now or I'd have been all over that.