JRich + Murphy for Pau + Cardinal (?) Baron, Monta, MP/Dun, AB and Pau would be a championship contender . "Grizzlies F Gasol would rather play for a contender SportsTicker National Basketball Association News Wire MADRID -- There is more bad news for the Memphis Grizzlies. Spanish star Pau Gasol would rather play for a championship contender. Gasol told the "El Tirachanas" program on Spanish television's COPE that he wanted "to be with a team competing for a ring," something that he added would be "very difficult" to do with the Grizzlies. Gasol broke the fifth metatarsal in his left foot while playing for Spain in the semifinals of the FIBA World Championship last summer. He missed the championship game but still was named tournament MVP as Spain won the gold medal. Without their All-Star forward, the Grizzlies are off to a 5-17 start. Gasol is set to make his long-awaited return for the Grizzlies on Saturday when they visit the Miami Heat. But Gasol's days in Memphis may be numbered. Speculation has swirled that the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics may be interested in acquiring him. "There is some truth in it, especially with the whole situation of the change of owners (with the Grizzlies)," Gasol told COPE. "The situation has been uncomfortable, but there are not only the Bulls and Boston, there are other teams interested." A group headed by former NBA player Christian Laettner and his former Duke University teammate Brian Davis is seeking to purchase the Grizzlies." http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2698420
The Warriors are in no way a "contender". I doubt he has the Warriors in mind as a place he wants to play.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">JRich + Murphy for Pau + Cardinal (?) </div> Where do I sign up?
Hmm... interesting concept. Baron + Pau + Biedrins. I hope we fill up our squad with some nice swing players. I wouldn't say Pau Gasol is to bet the franchise on, but he's got some important physical and basketball skills most big men can't learn. One is quickness, the other is length, the other is ability to play the game at an all-around level and score on either sides of the post. Defensively, all this guy can really do is block shots. Anyone else think so?
I think that's a slam-dunk deal. Not only does GS get a top-tier big man with a chip on his shoulder, but CR2 finally gets back his beloved Custodian. Hell yeah I'd do this -- in a heartbeat! But it'll never happen.
<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think that's a slam-dunk deal. Not only does GS get a top-tier big man with a chip on his shoulder, but CR2 finally gets back his beloved Custodian. Hell yeah I'd do this -- in a heartbeat! But it'll never happen.</div> I wouldn't want Brian Cardinal. The dude is too overpaid! What can I say... I'm a cheapo. I believe the best teams are small market teams who watch their budget, can make smart fiscal/talent/chemistry moves, or teams that can afford to keep and actually get two HOF superstars. We're not that lucky to get two HOF superstars and we're not that rich. My thinking is we have to be more like Detroit or San Antonio, but not like the Clippers.
If I remember correctly, doesn't Cardinal make as much as Dunleavy? And isn't his contract about the same length. Getting Gasol gives us the big man we need but leaves us in a worse salary cap situation. I don't think we should really try to strengthen the team through trades, it may be good short term but digs the hole we're in a little bit deeper. I suggested a possible trade where we would give up Murphy for Sweetney from Chicago and I was really surprised at everyone's reaction. Sure, Sweetney sucks but he is an expiring contract. I wouldn't care if he never played a minute for the Warriors. It would essentially be trading Murphy for whatever FA (or resigning one of our own guys) we can get with that money. I really believe the best trades the Warriors can make are like the Fisher deal; addition by subtraction.
I think all players, especially stars want to play for championship contenders. If there is actual serious talk of dealing Gasol then that will give more support to this argument. But I don't see casual talk from outside teams ignitiating a deal with Gasol in it. Paul Pierce seems to have been on the trading block and ready to leave Boston for years, but he's still there. Anyhow right now, I don't think the Grizzlies are going to deal Gasol. His stock is extremely low right now and I just don't think they'll deal him now, unless if they can get a top pick in next year's draft and some good young players. As to answer the question posed in the original post: I would do that deal.
<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I wouldn't want Brian Cardinal. The dude is too overpaid! What can I say... I'm a cheapo. I believe the best teams are small market teams who watch their budget, can make smart fiscal/talent/chemistry moves, or teams that can afford to keep and actually get two HOF superstars. We're not that lucky to get two HOF superstars and we're not that rich. My thinking is we have to be more like Detroit or San Antonio, but not like the Clippers.</div> Cardinal is way overpaid and has a contract one year less than Murphy. But so is Murphy. We need to balance salaries. It would be great if Mullin to weasel something out of them. The more difficult thing imho is to convince Pau to come here since we haven't made the POs in twelve years.
PG: Davis//Ellis SG: Ellis//Pietrus SF: Pietrus//Dunleavy//Barnes PF: Gasol//Diogu//Cardinal C: Biedrins//Foyle//POB Seems like a good lineup and with Gasol for J-Rich it gives a player who can score down low if defended by a smaller player.
If and when Gasol is available-a LOT of teams will show interest. The Bulls,Celts,Warriors get mentioned in such deals as they have depth and young talent. The Bulls,with PJ have an expiring. Ratliff is not-is a short deal-however-both are over the hill,and do the Griz want to head into next year without a C,or relying on Theo? The franchise is allegedly for sale. What is the next owners priority? A decent team? a Cheap team? Altogather-Gasol is well rounded and pretty young,many teams will figure he could help them-so it won't be just 2-3 teams offering expendables. Chances are-someone overpays and gets Gasol. We have a center now-and his D is better than Gasol's. We also have Ike at PF. I would not be a bit surprised if in a year,Ike is pretty near even with Gasol in points and boards. If so- mortgaging the farm to get Gasol-not a gain. Him being young,relative to-say-KG is a plus however,but he'll never match KG as a defender or rebounder. If Biedrens was not so hot-I'd be wanting Gasol a lot.
Heard some more rumors. There are some unhappy situations in the NBA -- Iverson, Gasol, PJ Brown and Corey Maggette. Some of these guys have told their team to trade them. We got Murphy, MP, Dunleavy and Foyle as trade bait. Teams such as Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, Miami, New Jersey, Toronto, Portland, Denver, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Golden State Warriors want to make trades. There's got to be a deal for us someplace.
<div class="quote_poster">jason voorhees Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">We got... Foyle as trade bait.</div> Yeah, we should dangle Foyle out like a piece of fine candy -- not to give away, though, just to tempt other teams to come a-knockin. You know, like the candy shop puts the hot fudge by the front door so the smells waft out to the sidewalk and attract customers.
<div class="quote_poster">jason voorhees Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Cardinal is way overpaid and has a contract one year less than Murphy. But so is Murphy. We need to balance salaries. It would be great if Mullin to weasel something out of them. The more difficult thing imho is to convince Pau to come here since we haven't made the POs in twelve years.</div> I would love to have a star big man. Having a star guard is great, but nothing beats a guy who can affect the offense inside. If we had such a guy then it would be okay for guys like Derek Fisher, Dunleavy, and Murphy to shoot those outside jumpers or step into the 20 foot mark. I think power forward and center who can get the 50% shooting inside also have the best chance of finishing in contact and get the foul call because they're bigger than most defenders. We need to have a dominant position somewhere in the frontcourt, otherwise it's too hard to survive. If we have a dominant position in Baron Davis in the backcourt, well he needs to finish more like Kobe Bryant, I guess. Too hard to honor that inside presence if layups or foul shots can't be made at a high clip. A body bump on a guard by a power forward or center is harder to finish inside than a power forward or center going against a power forward or center. Now Pau Gasol isn't even that strong IMO, but he's very skilled, very quick, very long, and he's strong enough to have done so well at an early age and kept on improving.
Gasol is awesome. And he plays with an attitude. He'd immediately take this team to the next level. I'd even part with Ike to get him long-term, because Gasol's young and a franchise type guy. If the $$ worked I'd do this: Murphy/Pietrus/Ike - Gasol I'd give up any combination of Foyle, Murphy, Dunleavy, Pietrus, Ike, Barnes, Roberson, POB, McCleod, heck I'd even part with JRich to get Gasol. The only guys I wouldn't offer are Baron, Monta, and Beans. Here are Gasol's $$ numbers for the next 4 seasons: $12,364,000 / $13,735,000 / $15,106,000 / $16,452,000 Where can I sign up?
I could see something like J Rich-Murph-Roberson-rd 2 for Pau being real sweet for us. Would consider a version with POB,with us getting a guy such as Alexander Johnson or L Roberts. As I feel Nellie's process of upgrading the skills of everyone is still in the works,as it continues,we get a greater talent pool-and we make decisions from a better position. I am not certain we really need any "BIG" trade. I'm a bit put off that Pau,getting injured playing for Spain,is showing no faith or loyalty to Memphis. I'd have some concern about durability-as that type injury can keep coming back---as with Bill Walton. That factor also says-don't dive into this too soon.
Hmm, I never really thought about that, REREM. Nice call on Bill Walton btw. We wouldn't want to have Gasol wind up oft injured and not that loyal to the Warriors as Jrich is. Good to have an older fan's perspective on things.
