Lakers trade for Gasol
The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Memphis center Pau Gasol, league sources said Friday afternoon.
The Lakers will send center Kwame Brown and rookie point guard Javaris Crittenton to Memphis in the trade, along with two future No. 1 picks.
It is possible the Lakers will re-sign free agent Aaron McKie to send to Memphis to balance the contracts in the deal.
Gasol, a 7-footer, can play center for the Lakers until Andrew Bynum returns from a knee injury sometime in March. Then, Gasol, who is averaging 18.9 points and 8.8 rebounds, can slide over into the power forward spot. His passing and shooting skills are ideal to operate in the triangle offense. This move pushes the Lakers into championship contention.
For Memphis, Brown’s $9 million contract comes off the salary cap at the end of the season. Gasol has three years left and nearly $50 million left on his contract. He is averaging nearly 19 points and 8.8 rebounds for the Grizzlies.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal also reported the story Friday in its online edition.
