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| A "Gasol" on the Lakers seems right, feels right |
What a weekend it has been for the Lakers! I don't think you can ask for a better offseason than the way Rob Pelinka and company handled free agency to strengthen the team even more to better their chances at a repeat. Yes, we lost some fan favorites along the way. But, the NBA is a business first and foremost. Some necessary sacrifices are needed to become champions once again as the entire league is trying to play catchup. The Lakers know very well that they have a huge bullseye behind their back and needed to do what they can to stay ahead of the arms race. Let's break down the most recent transactions.
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JaVale McGee --> Traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Jordan Bell and Alfonso McKinnie
Comment: JaVale picked up his player option prior to the start of free agency. Personally, I had McGee as a sign-and-trade candidate as we all know the Lakers are shopping Kyle Kuzma around in case he shows no signs progress in the upcoming season. Maybe throw in McGee as an additional player in the package to free up some cap room. When rumors that the Lakers were interested in Marc Gasol swirled up, that was a microcosm that the Lakers are likely to move JaVale elsewhere. And they needed to do that to make cap room for Gasol. Outside of shot blocking, JaVale doesn't provide much value. We already expected this as soon as he found himself out of the rotation in the NBA Bubble. Ultimately, the Lakers lose a hype man and a locker room personality on their team. I was an avid watcher of his "Life in the Bubble" vlogs on YouTube just to have that all-access look on how this team bonded in the Bubble. But, McGee looks good only on short spurts. You're not going to get a lot out of him if you give him more minutes. The Cavaliers do get a decent backup for Andre Drummond.
As for the Lakers' acquisitions in this trade, both Jordan Bell and Alfonzo McKinnie are on non-guaranteed contracts. I heard Bell already got waived. They were most likely going to get cut as they were just excess pieces to make the money work to get JaVale to Cleveland. McKinnie is actually going to remain with the team for the time being. He saw some extended action during his time with the Warriors and did decent for the most part. I think he'll provide some value as a wing defender that the Lakers got in return for cheap.
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Marc Gasol (TOR) - 2 years, $2.5M
Comment: A "Gasol" on the Lakers sounds so nostalgic. As soon as the Lakers traded JaVale, this move was inevitable. Real Laker fans know that the team drafted Marc Gasol in 2008 and traded his draft rights to Memphis to get big brother Pau. Looking back at that trade, it was ultimately a win-win. The Lakers won two more titles out of three finals appearances and Marc blossomed into a 3x All-Star and DPOY winner for the Grizzlies. Life comes full circle as Marc will finally don the purple and gold.
As much as we will miss Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee's shot blocking and rim protection, this is actually a solid upgrade. We know Marc is not as athletic as he once was, but he provides the Lakers a big body that can space the floor with his ability to knock down 3-pointers and can defend the premium centers like a Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Karl Anthony-Towns. So, that takes a lot of pressure away from Anthony Davis to play extended minutes at the 5. And having a big man like Marc who can space the floor and make the right plays with his high IQ, that allows LeBron and AD to have a field day inside. AD, especially will benefit from Marc's presence in the all likelihood he re-signs. Teams will have to think twice about doubling him. And centers like Rudy Gobert and Steven Adams who thrive as interior defenders will have an uncomfortable time having to defend outside the paint with Marc's ability to stretch the floor.
I hope the Lakers do not retire #16 yet for Pau Gasol. Have Marc wear that number, make it even more nostalgic for us Lakers fans. It'd be a fitting way to follow in his brother's footsteps. Marc may already have a ring with the Raptors, but the Gasol brothers winning rings as Lakers from different eras? That's gonna be quite a story for that family.
Markieff Morris Tweets Return
Earlier today, Markieff announced on his Twitter that he will return to the Lakers. "Run it back!" He says. Nothing else to say. Unlike Dwight's deleted tweet, this is for real as the Lakers are finalizing to bring back 'Kieff for the veteran's minimum. The Lakers getting 'Kieff off the waivers and not having to give up anything unlike the Clippers trading everything for brother, Marcus, was a huge steal. They get a true stretch 4 who can play the 5 in small ball situations. But, I think with Trez onboard, we'll see 'Kieff almost exclusively at the 4. He too was an X-Factor in the Lakers' playoff run from Game 2 of the semi's to onwards. Give it to 'Kieff from beyond the arc, it's a guaranteed bucket. And the Lakers keep a guy who represents grit and toughness. Those Morris twins, you don't mess with them. It's hilarious that the Clippers overpaid for Marcus earlier. But clearly 'Kieff has his priorities straight. Rings now, money later. Once again, Rich Paul and Klutch Sports surely had a hand in this since 'Kieff is also their client along with LeBron, AD, KCP, and Trez. 30% of the Lakers' projected roster is Klutch Sports!
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