Quote:
Originally Posted by kmart
Very true, but the Lakers can take the contract. You can suff any PF that shoot 3's in his system and they'll have success IMO. Ie Earl Clark and sometimes Antawn Jamison, so I just don't see Bargs being Kobes whipping boy.
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Yeah, and think about how D'Antoni developed Channing Frye from a utility center into a floor-spacing 3-point specialist who fit perfectly alongside Nash. If you're bringing in Bargnani with the expectation of him being Channing Frye 2.0, then I think that's realistic. Given that Howard's greatest seasons were either with Ryan Anderson, or when Rashard Lewis was a decent 3-point threat, and I think it's easy to make the case that this is the sort of player he needs, and he can make up for a less effective rebounder and help-defender.
I think the other factor is that there are just so many free agent big-men, most of whom are going to move in sign-and-trades. And LA, being over the tax apron, will not have that option. So most teams that normally would be interested in Gasol are going to be after guys like Jefferson, Millsap, Smith, Pekovic, West, Hickson, Kaman, etc. All of whom are healthy. If Howard puts pressure on the Lakers to move Gasol before he re-signs, they could be in a very difficult spot to make a move before the marketplace is settled. (Not that Howard would do that, right? He's not the sort of guy to give ultimatums to a GM, right?)
I don't think Toronto is the only option for LA though. I imagine that Minnesota will put a package together based around Derrick Williams, Brandon Roy, and either Barea or Ridnour (Pekovic can no longer be sent because LA can't negotiate sign-and-trades). Chicago might pitch Boozer for Gasol, and Boozer is probably the most skilled guy they could get, but he's still overpaid and doesn't space the floor. Maybe the Nets make an offer based around Humphries. There are other options, but that's probably about the general quality of offers they're going to get, either directly or in multi-team trades. Contenders won't want Gasol because he isn't healthy enough to contribute reliably. Bottom-feeders won't want to give up assets for him because he probably bolts in a year. Rebuilding teams looking to unload their own baggage are pretty-much the only willing trade partners.