<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The incoming text message apologized for not getting back to me sooner, and said “call when works for you.” So I immediately picked up the phone Friday night and dialed up Pau Gasol. The 7-footer answered after just having landed in Los Angeles around midnight CST. He sounded sad. He seemed dazed. Gasol actually was confused, too. He never saw this coming. Gasol never thought he’d be traded and had no inkling when the Griz informed him that he needed to board a plane because he’s a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. “It’s not easy to digest,” Gasol said. “You leave something that you’ve been committed to for such a long time — all of a sudden you’re on a plane going to a different team. It’s pretty shocking.” More from Gasol in the Sunday Commercial Appeal. Meanwhile, here’s more fallout from the Gasol trade: *** The Griz and Lakers have been talking for some time. One of their initial discussions involved a deal that would have included Mike Miller and Hakim Warrick, and Lamar Odom. The Lakers are said to have declined. *** Part of the motivation for the Gasol deal had to do with the discontent from fans. A large segment of the fan base (as fickle as they are) disliked Gasol, booed him and wanted the Griz to ship him at any cost. The team realized that, along with just 13 wins, having a franchise player (and highest paid player) that can’t draw at the ticket window would never work. People wouldn’t pay to see Gasol play. So part of the thinking is perhaps they can shop for one who can draw fans. *** I’m hearing strong vibes that the Logo brokered this deal. No proof but where there is smoke, there’s a fire. Jerry West still has owner Mike Heisley and general manager Chris Wallace’s ears. Plus, West is very interested in having Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak succeed. Just my two cents. *** After talking to several league executives, the Griz have pissed off the Western Conference with this deal. Elite West teams are said to be angry that the Griz just handed the Lakers an important piece in their quest to become a championship contender. Typically, All Stars are sent to the ‘other’ conference. Imagine how Atlanta and Chicago must feel right now. But those East teams weren’t offering cap room. *** Don’t be surprised if Mike Miller is traded. Don’t be surprised if the great Kyle Lowry, not Javaris Crittenton, is eventually dealt to clear out the crowded point guard position. *** Wishful thinking to those of you who think Heisley is stripping down the franchise to sell it. Would he dump the franchise if a buyer came along and paid his price? Sure. But Heisley, in a recent meeting with the local owners, said he’ll probably die with this team. He plans on owning it for a long time. He just doesn’t plan on suffering the losses he’s already endured during that span. One way to ensure that is to get the payroll in line. Stay tuned.</div> Source: m3mphis Blog Man we could have basically had Odom for Mike Miller & Hakim Warrick along with Gasol for the Kwame package. I guess the organization has a lot higher opinion of Odom than the fans. I hope Odom appreciates all the support they've given him.
I feel sick thinking about that. Mike Miller is so much better than Lamar Odom, it isn't even funny. Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Mike Miller, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Feb 2 2008, 04:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I feel sick thinking about that. Mike Miller is so much better than Lamar Odom, it isn't even funny. Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Mike Miller, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum.</div> I completely agree, Mike Miller can flat at ball. He killed it for Team USA in the summer playing alongside Kobe. Imagine all the wide open jump shots he would have. Woo! Plus you get Hakim Warrick.
WOW, WTF is this? I can't believe the Lakers turned that trade down, Miller owns Odom right now offensively, and he spends more minutes at SF. It looks like Mitch slightly screwed this deal up (him or Buss at least). At least we have Pau but Odom is having a below average season offensively, how can anyone have faith in that guy? Mike is much more efficient and has played with someone of Bryant's caliber before in Orlando, he knows how to defer and complement. He'd be ideal for this team. Edit- My only theory can be that maybe the Lakers are planning on doing something big with Odom during the Summer with his huge expiring contract. But either way this guy has to go or get a huge paycut.
I don't think this is true. In the other article you posted, Shape, it said the Grizzlies were unwilling to take on Lamar Odom because of his contract. They do not want to pay him another year. If the Grizzlies are looking to get rid of Mike Miller, I see them basically handing him away for an expiring contract and maybe a pick. They've made it clear that they want to be as cheap as possible.
I actually wouldn't want Miller. This team has enough offensive players. I would rather gun for Marion or Artest with Odom. Odom can play pretty decent as the 3rd option. He only started sucking this year when Bynum went out.
I think the Grizzlies may have turned that down. They wouldn't want Odom imo, he makes no sense for what they're trying to do. I think that we'll see Mike Miller gone by the trade deadline in another fire sale.
If we can use Kwame's 9 million expiring contract to trade for an Allstar, imagine what we'll be able to do next season with Lamar's 15 million expiring contract. I have faith in Mitch Kupchak. He knows what he's doing (surprise surprise)
Just because Warrick, Odom, and Miller were mentioned in the trade does not mean that was all that was involved. Their salaries don't match Odom's so I'm sure there would've been another player thrown in (I'm guessing Sasha).
If we were able to get warrick, we could already trade Walton!!! LOL and yes, mike miller is an upgrade over Kobe and will greatly compliment his game... coz he is a shooter. the grizzllies didnt exactly "hand us gasol" (although it did look like it)... they were just looking for the EXACT package to get rid of Gasol's contract hence Kwame (9M) + Java (1M) + Mckie (3M) and 2 1st rd picks. maybe Boston could have matched gasol's contract with ratliff's expiring but why in the well do tha grizzlies want only that? the found the perfect deal with the lakers since they got pick and a good player.
I'd say it's because they want to leave the door open for a Jason Kidd trade, no matter how unlikely it might seem to be at this point.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Real @ Feb 3 2008, 12:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'd say it's because they want to leave the door open for a Jason Kidd trade, no matter how unlikely it might seem to be at this point.</div> Um...why would the Nets want Odumb?
Because next year he's a $15 million expiring contract and a good ball handler. He'd be a third option in New Jersey, that's where he was best with the Lakers.
