<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">When the going gets tough, the tough ... ask to be traded? Awwwwww, Pau. What a disappointment. What a blow for those of us who have defended the guy for so long. "He's really not soft," we argued. "He's actually an incredible competitor," we told everyone. And now Pau Gasol has asked to be traded because the Grizzlies are having a bad season. Hey, maybe we were wrong. Gasol has dispatched his agent, Arn Tellem, to find him another team. Jerry West, the Grizzlies president of basketball operations, has acknowledged talking to the Chicago Bulls about a deal. Gasol told The CA's Ron Tillery that he didn't want to comment "because I don't want it to be a distraction to me or the team." Right. Like asking to be traded isn't a distraction? Like looking for an exit doesn't say something to the players who share the locker room? As much as anyone else, Gasol is responsible for the Grizzlies' hideous year. He broke his foot playing for Spain in the World Championships. The Grizzlies -- who are paying him more than $12 million this season -- never uttered a critical word. "You have to understand, Pau loves his country," West said. "That's part of what makes him the great player he is." Pretty darn gracious, eh? But, then, when haven't the Grizzlies been supportive of Gasol? They hung with him while he learned the league his rookie year. They shipped Jason Williams and Bonzi Wells out because they were too hard on their sensitive star. Then they paid Gasol the maximum allowed by the NBA, a six-year, $86-million contract extension that symbolized their faith in him. "We believe in Pau Gasol," said West. And he repays them with this. In the most difficult season the Grizzlies have had in Memphis, at a time when the franchise needs Gasol's leadership more than ever, the only thing he wants to lead is the parade out of town. What a parade it is, too. Owner Michael Heisley wants out. Shooting guard Eddie Jones wants out. Head coach Mike Fratello is already gone. Oh, and West refuses to say if he'll be here after his contract runs out on May 1. So you can understand why Gasol would be uneasy. Everyone's uneasy, including the fans. But wouldn't it have been bigger of Gasol to accept some of the blame himself? To reassure everyone that this too shall pass? Isn't that what a real leader would do at a time like this? Maybe set an example for Alexander Johnson and Rudy Gay? After all, it's not as if the Grizzlies have endured years and years of misery. This is one bad year. Get lucky in the draft lottery after the season and the team could be right back in the playoffs. That strategy has now been complicated by Gasol's trade request, which has the Grizzlies scrambling to re-evaluate. Earlier in the season, when asked about trading Gasol, Heisley answered like this: "There's no damn way that anybody is going to trade Pau Gasol." Sunday, asked the same question, he said: "If we can improve the team, we would trade Pau." That's the correct answer, of course, and always has been. If another team offers a package that would improve the Grizzlies, West should do the deal. But he shouldn't take less than Gasol is worth. Which is more than a collection of young players and beads. West has reportedly asked the Bulls for Ben Gordon and Luol Deng as part of the package. No way the Bulls are doing that. But why should the Grizzlies settle for much less? </div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">bruin007 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I hope the lakers get him one man's burden is another man's fortune...</div> What are the Lakers going to trade for him though? Odom is of little use with Gay and Warrick and hes another soft complainer with a huge contract. Bynum probably wouldn't be traded and other than that the Lakers have nothing really. I'd say the top contenders for landing him are Boston, Chicago, Golden State, and New Jersey though he could go to a wide variety of teams. Boston has the young talent and they seem to be very interested in getting a star player to pair with Pierce. Chicago also has the young talent and need for a scorer, apparently no one in the organization wants to give up any good young players though. Richardson could be available in Golden State and they probably want to get some value for Pietrus since he'll probably walk in the offseason, I don't see Ellis or Biedrins being traded though. New Jersey has been searching for a stud big man for a long time, they apparently think they can get one without giving anything away though, if they are willing to trade Carter or Jefferson plus extras they could get him but I don't know if they'll do that.
<div class="quote_poster">Shard Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">They should trade him for Battier.</div> Agreed.
I think this Pau Gasol trade request should be interesting. He's coming off an injury, so I'm sure many teams are ready to hand Memphis the short end of the stick. Either way, just like the saying goes, you can never get equal value trading a star in this league. But with that said, seeing how the Grizzlies are looking to move into a youth direction, a trade for young players and/or draft picks should probably satisfy Jerry West. Maybe a move similarly to what Phildelphia did with Iverson (though I thought they could have gotten more value). As Run mentioned, some potential suitors are: Boston, Chicago, New Jersey, and Golden State. I actually think the Warriors have some pretty good chips to give up, but they will probably be hesitant to relinquish their young guys like Andris Biendrins and Monta Ellis. The O'Bryant guy is a real enigma; he hasn't played much and is in the D-League if I'm not mistaken. Richardson is available from what I have heard, but his value has hit rock bottom and he does have a lengthy contract, which is something I'm sure Memphis is trying to steer away from. So all in all, the Warriors could pull it off, but ultimately I don't see it happening. New Jersey is in dire need of a big man. In fact, they have been looking for a complementary big man - particularly a post scorer - ever since the Jason Kidd era. Not only will Gasol provide scoring stability in Richard Jefferson's absence, but he will add a whole new dimension to New Jersey's game. Obviously a post scorer and a perimeter scorer coupled with a good distributor is one of the most potent combinations in basketball. In this case the Nets will have a three all-stars and an easy time taking over the Atlantic. The only problem is how does Memphis acquire Gasol? Either Kidd or Carter must be involved. Jefferson has struggled this season and to top it off is out indefinitely with an injury which requires surgery. The Nets' youth talent pool is low with only Marcus Williams as the creame of the crop. Hassan Adams and Josh Boone have been impressive at times, but they are far less talented than what other teams have to offer. So again, I don't see Gasol coming to New Jersey. Boston is a possiblity: Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, Delonte West, Sebastian Telfair, Rajon Rondo, and I'm sure I'm missing more impressive youngsters. So obviously the Celtics have themselves a plethora of attractive players (no homo). The only thing is they are usually reluctant to part ways with some of the players. Even in an Allen Iverson deal they wouldn't trade (I forgot who), but I think that turned out to be the deal breaker. Point blank: the Celtics can't bank on young talent forever; they have been in a rebuilding mode for years and it?s time to focus on winning again. Knowing this Ainge might just be willing to put anyone on the table. If he does, the Celtics probably have the best chance of acquiring Gasol. Chicago also has the youth to acquire Gasol and it is rumored that they offered P.J. Brown, Ben Gordon, and a first round pick for Gasol. This deal is solid: the Grizzlies get a likely future star and a pick from the Knicks (likely in the 10-16 range). I would request more for my franchise player, but if nothing else comes along, West should definitely accept this trade, since Chicago will absolutely refuse to give up Deng or Hinrich. On another noe, I must say I am disgusted by the way NBA players can just request trades. You make millions of dollars signing a contract, so stay with the team. I don't think it's fair at all how players are allowed to dictate their futures.
<div class="quote_poster">I-Miss-MJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Bulls rumor is false.</div> According to who? I'm sure the Bulls are interested. They have to be; Chicago has absolutely no post presence and are solely reliant upon the shooting of Gordon, Hinrich, Nocioni, and some occasional slashing by Deng. Gasol is an all-star 7-footer who could take the Bulls to the next level. If Paxson said he's not even as much interested in Gasol then he's lying.
I agree with the sentiment of the thread title. I love Pau and it totally breaks my heart to see this happen, but if he doesn't want to be there, he can **** off. The quicker the better.
<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think this Pau Gasol trade request should be interesting. He's coming off an injury, so I'm sure many teams are ready to hand Memphis the short end of the stick. Either way, just like the saying goes, you can never get equal value trading a star in this league. But with that said, seeing how the Grizzlies are looking to move into a youth direction, a trade for young players and/or draft picks should probably satisfy Jerry West. Maybe a move similarly to what Phildelphia did with Iverson (though I thought they could have gotten more value). As Run mentioned, some potential suitors are: Boston, Chicago, New Jersey, and Golden State. I actually think the Warriors have some pretty good chips to give up, but they will probably be hesitant to relinquish their young guys like Andris Biendrins and Monta Ellis. The O'Bryant guy is a real enigma; he hasn't played much and is in the D-League if I'm not mistaken. Richardson is available from what I have heard, but his value has hit rock bottom and he does have a lengthy contract, which is something I'm sure Memphis is trying to steer away from. So all in all, the Warriors could pull it off, but ultimately I don't see it happening. New Jersey is in dire need of a big man. In fact, they have been looking for a complementary big man - particularly a post scorer - ever since the Jason Kidd era. Not only will Gasol provide scoring stability in Richard Jefferson's absence, but he will add a whole new dimension to New Jersey's game. Obviously a post scorer and a perimeter scorer coupled with a good distributor is one of the most potent combinations in basketball. In this case the Nets will have a three all-stars and an easy time taking over the Atlantic. The only problem is how does Memphis acquire Gasol? Either Kidd or Carter must be involved. Jefferson has struggled this season and to top it off is out indefinitely with an injury which requires surgery. The Nets' youth talent pool is low with only Marcus Williams as the creame of the crop. Hassan Adams and Josh Boone have been impressive at times, but they are far less talented than what other teams have to offer. So again, I don't see Gasol coming to New Jersey. Boston is a possiblity: Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, Delonte West, Sebastian Telfair, Rajon Rondo, and I'm sure I'm missing more impressive youngsters. So obviously the Celtics have themselves a plethora of attractive players (no homo). The only thing is they are usually reluctant to part ways with some of the players. Even in an Allen Iverson deal they wouldn't trade (I forgot who), but I think that turned out to be the deal breaker. Point blank: the Celtics can't bank on young talent forever; they have been in a rebuilding mode for years and it’s time to focus on winning again. Knowing this Ainge might just be willing to put anyone on the table. If he does, the Celtics probably have the best chance of acquiring Gasol. Chicago also has the youth to acquire Gasol and it is rumored that they offered P.J. Brown, Ben Gordon, and a first round pick for Gasol. This deal is solid: the Grizzlies get a likely future star and a pick from the Knicks (likely in the 10-16 range). I would request more for my franchise player, but if nothing else comes along, West should definitely accept this trade, since Chicago will absolutely refuse to give up Deng or Hinrich. On another noe, I must say I am disgusted by the way NBA players can just request trades. You make millions of dollars signing a contract, so stay with the team. I don't think it's fair at all how players are allowed to dictate their futures.</div> I don't think that the fact that Gasol's coming off of an injury will hurt his stock. He's shown that he's playing at the same level that he was prior to his injury. Hell, he just recorded a triple-double the other night. How many seven-footers in today's game can record triple-doubles? I think a Warriors trade is unlikely, because the Grizzlies are loaded on the wing, and like you said, they're trying to steer towards short contracts and youth, so that eliminates Richardson and Davis. Any deal with Golden State would almost certainly have to involve Monta Ellis, but I don't see the Warriors being willing to part with Ellis, and frankly, I don't blame them. I also agree with your assesment of New Jersey. They desperately need a player like Gasol, but their talent is just too old for the new Oden/Durant-bound Grizzlies. If I were running this team, I'd love to get my hands on Jason Kidd, but knowing Jerry West, he'll want a rising star or cap relief, neither of which Kidd would bring the team. I think Boston is a strong possibility as well, but aren't they very adament about hanging onto Gerald Green and Al Jefferson? Really, those are the only two young guys I'd want from their team. Guys like Gomes, West, Telfair, and Rondo are all good players, but none of them have the same kind of superstar potential that Green and Jefferson have. If the Grizzlies were able to convince the Celtics to do a trade along the lines of Wally Szczerbiak, Al Jefferson, and Gerald Green for Pau Gasol and Damon Stoudamire (works cap-wise), I'd be all for it. That'd give the Grizzlies the potential lineup of Lowry-Miller-Szczerbiak-Jefferson-Oden with Green, Gay, and Warrick off of the bench. An ideal trade though, and I'm surprised there are no rumors on this front, is a deal with the Portland Trailblazers involving Zach Randolph and Joel Pryzbilla, who's being overpayed and isn't working out for them. If they package them with Jarrett Jack, the salaries would add up to that of Gasol and Swift's. Trading those five players straight up would be a great deal for both teams in my opinion. A potential lineup of Jack-Miller-Gay-Randolph-Oden with Lowry, Warrick, and Pryzbilla off the bench would be even sicker than the Boston one I mentioned above.
<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">According to who? I'm sure the Bulls are interested. They have to be; Chicago has absolutely no post presence and are solely reliant upon the shooting of Gordon, Hinrich, Nocioni, and some occasional slashing by Deng. Gasol is an all-star 7-footer who could take the Bulls to the next level. If Paxson said he's not even as much interested in Gasol then he's lying.</div> Bulls won't trade Deng and Gordon for him. And I am pretty certain (i'd have to check) that Paxson said he never offer/rejected the Brown, Gordon for him. And last time I checked we are one game from top spot in the East, so obviously our perimeter game isn't too bad.
<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> An ideal trade though, and I'm surprised there are no rumors on this front, is a deal with the Portland Trailblazers involving Zach Randolph and Joel Pryzbilla, who's being overpayed and isn't working out for them. If they package them with Jarrett Jack, the salaries would add up to that of Gasol and Swift's. Trading those five players straight up would be a great deal for both teams in my opinion. A potential lineup of Jack-Miller-Gay-Randolph-Oden with Lowry, Warrick, and Pryzbilla off the bench would be even sicker than the Boston one I mentioned above.</div> Hmm that's really interesting. I defintely belive this improves both team for the present and future. However, would Pau like the situation in Portland? Portland would have to consider that when trading for him, and he would still be the man with Roy still being a rookie.
<div class="quote_poster">P.A.P. Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Hmm that's really interesting. I defintely belive this improves both team for the present and future. However, would Pau like the situation in Portland? Portland would have to consider that when trading for him, and he would still be the man with Roy still being a rookie.</div> I've honestly never been under the impression that Pau was unhappy in Memphis. I know those reports have been surfacing, but it's always seemed to me like he doesn't really care one way or the other how good his NBA team is, because his heart is with the Spanish national team. Portland's got a lot to offer him though. He'll have a chance at being competitive, at least next year, with guys like Brandon Roy and Martell Webster around him. He's not a very selfish guy either. He played for years in Hubie Brown's ten man rotation, so he knows how to be effective with limited playing time and touches, so even if Brandon Roy does develop into an All-Star caliber player over the next few years, I can see the two coexisting, because neither one is the least bit selfish. I mean, how many seven footers out there average just under five assists per game on the year? Let's call up Jerry West and ask him why he hasn't proposed this deal.
<div class="quote_poster">Run BJM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What are the Lakers going to trade for him though? Odom is of little use with Gay and Warrick and hes another soft complainer with a huge contract. Bynum probably wouldn't be traded and other than that the Lakers have nothing really. I'd say the top contenders for landing him are Boston, Chicago, Golden State, and New Jersey though he could go to a wide variety of teams. Boston has the young talent and they seem to be very interested in getting a star player to pair with Pierce. Chicago also has the young talent and need for a scorer, apparently no one in the organization wants to give up any good young players though. Richardson could be available in Golden State and they probably want to get some value for Pietrus since he'll probably walk in the offseason, I don't see Ellis or Biedrins being traded though. New Jersey has been searching for a stud big man for a long time, they apparently think they can get one without giving anything away though, if they are willing to trade Carter or Jefferson plus extras they could get him but I don't know if they'll do that.</div> LOL... Odom does not complain... What can the Lakers offer? a better chance at Greg Oden... didnt you read, some luck in the lottery for the grizz and it can turn their fortune around
<div class="quote_poster">kobe23 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">LOL... Odom does not complain... What can the Lakers offer? a better chance at Greg Oden... didnt you read, some luck in the lottery for the grizz and it can turn their fortune around</div> Trading Pau Gasol just to tank's too big of a risk to take when they'd probably be in just as good of tanking position with him. The smartest move would be to trade for a young, developing prospect, like Bynum, and that way they could still tank and have a secure future even if they don't wind up with Oden or Durant.
<div class="quote_poster">kobe23 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">LOL... Odom does not complain... What can the Lakers offer? a better chance at Greg Oden... didnt you read, some luck in the lottery for the grizz and it can turn their fortune around</div> You're right the Grizz would be much better off trading away Pau and relying on "some luck in the lottery" even though they have the worst record in the league even with Pau.
