NBA Trade Rumors: Memphis Grizzlies Trading Marc Gasol to Lakers Makes Sense

By AJ Salah | Jan 20, 2019

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 23, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Memphis Grizzlies Marc Gasol finds himself in NBA Trade Rumors (Photo by Icon Sportswire) /

Feed The Need

The L.A. Lakers are a particularly convenient case, in that they start JaVale McGee at center. While McGee has had one of the best seasons of his career, the Lakers still have one of the weakest big rotations in the entire NBA.

Enter Gasol, an immediate upgrade on both ends of the floor. He is a stretch threat who creates space around LeBron James, and would be a nightmare to defend in pick-‘n’-pops with James.

Marc Gasol’s veteran playmaking ability would improve the fluidity of a potentially dangerous offense (currently 21st in O-rating). The Lakers play fast and loose (3rd in pace, 7th in TO%), so a dose of Gasol’s methodical sagacity would be good for them.

On defense, Gasol could push a borderline-elite team over the top. The Lakers already post the NBA’s sixth-best D-rating, with numerous youngsters in their rotation, and LeBron openly coasting on that end. McGee is a good shot-blocker, but he is nowhere near Gasol’s all-around awareness or impact.

The L.A. Lakers already look like a sure-fire playoff team at full health, but filling their biggest hole with an NBA All-Star would put them way ahead of schedule for Year One of the LeBron Experience.

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