OT: Should the Lakers Amnesty Pau Gasol?

[PapaG]

Nobody is going to take on his ~$19m over the next two seasons, and the Lakers are pretty much screwed in terms of the cap with him on the roster, and with no real hope of upgrading other positions.

I was watching Around the Horn and Bob Ryan brought this up. At first I thought he was nuts, but if you think about it, it makes some sense for the Lakers.

An insane idea, or something that is necessary for LA?

 

[MickZagger]

I dunno. What is this, a fuckin Lakers forum?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

They'll quickly find out that there is a very small market out there for a player his age and contract.

Amnesty Pau, trade Bynum.

 

[RR7]

they cut him and they still aren't under the cap, so their ability to improve the team is still tied to the MLE and minimum salary.

 

[PapaG]

They'll quickly find out that there is a very small market out there for a player his age and contract.

Amnesty Pau, trade Bynum.

They'd still be over the cap at that point, though. Bryant's $28m next year is obscene.

 

[PapaG]

they cut him and they still aren't under the cap, so their ability to improve the team is still tied to the MLE and minimum salary.

True, but it would free up cap space for summer 2013, and if they can somehow get Howard for Bynum this summer, that might be attractive enough to get Chris Paul at a reduced rate.

 

[e_blazer]

If they want to save the most money and start the rebuild immediately they should amnesty Kobe.

 

[PapaG]

If they want to save the most money and start the rebuild immediately they should amnesty Kobe.

That's also possible, but Kobe still has enough game to justify $9m more than Gasol. Take away Bryant and keep Pau, and the Lakers are one of the worst teams in the West.

I think we'll see Bryant, Howard, and Paul on their 2013-14 roster, someway, somehow. A redux of the Celtic Big Three.

 

[Run BJM]

they cut him and they still aren't under the cap, so their ability to improve the team is still tied to the MLE and minimum salary.

This. If it doesn't get them under the cap it does them no good at all. They can move him for something. It only takes one dumb GM and even though hes old plenty of teams would love a skilled 7 footer. Keep in mind there is a salary floor now and his contract is only two more years so its not a long term burden. In fact it could be a valuable trade asset in the last year. There's plenty of mediocre teams with GMs trying to win now who could make such a move; NJ/Brooklyn, Toronto, Charlotte, Milwaukee, Washington, etc.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Nobody is going to take on his ~$19m over the next two seasons, and the Lakers are pretty much screwed in terms of the cap with him on the roster, and with no real hope of upgrading other positions.

I was watching Around the Horn and Bob Ryan brought this up. At first I thought he was nuts, but if you think about it, it makes some sense for the Lakers.

An insane idea, or something that is necessary for LA?

It's an interesting, complex thought. My buddy and I were talking about this while watching the Lakers lose.

I think I'd see what I could get for Kobe. He ain't getting any younger. Could he still lead a team to a championship if you put more talent around him? Yes, but it'll be hard with no cap space, and so many teams having cap space this offseason, so solid players aren't going to just settle for the MLE.

Exercise Bynum's option, possibly amnesty Gasol, get a bunch of talent for Kobe....

Funny how close Gasol was to being dealt last year. I supposed there could potentially be a team or two interested in him, but it would be shocking to me, given the salary cap situation.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

If they want to save the most money and start the rebuild immediately they should amnesty Kobe.

No need to amnesty. Even with his salary..... his ability and marketability.... someone would be willing to offer up an intriguing deal to LA, IMO.

 

[RR7]

Kobe has a no trade clause, I don't see him waving it.

 

[craigehlo]

The Rockets appeared dumb enough to want him last summer, so there are some suckers still out there.

 

[PapaG]

This. If it doesn't get them under the cap it does them no good at all. They can move him for something. It only takes one dumb GM and even though hes old plenty of teams would love a skilled 7 footer. Keep in mind there is a salary floor now and his contract is only two more years so its not a long term burden. In fact it could be a valuable trade asset in the last year. There's plenty of mediocre teams with GMs trying to win now who could make such a move; NJ/Brooklyn, Toronto, Charlotte, Milwaukee, Washington, etc.

Well, the luxury tax implications matter, as does freeing up space for summer 2013. But, I suppose if Buss doesn't care about the tax, may as well hang onto him for another year and then amnesty him after next season.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

they can (and will) easily deal pau for some nice players

amnesty a good asset...for no reason...just plain silly

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Well, the luxury tax implications matter, as does freeing up space for summer 2013. But, I suppose if Buss doesn't care about the tax, may as well hang onto him for another year and then amnesty him after next season.

I thought you had to use the amnesty no later than just before the start of next season??

 

[PapaG]

I thought you had to use the amnesty no later than just before the start of next season??

I don't know the terms of it. If that's the case, then why not save ~$80 million on a player who clearly is on the downside of his career. He's had a 17 PER two consecutive playoffs. Nobody in their right mind would give up any assets for him at this point, would they?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I don't know the terms of it. If that's the case, then why not save ~$80 million on a player who clearly is on the downside of his career. He's had a 17 PER two consecutive playoffs. Nobody in their right mind would give up any assets for him at this point, would they?

I'm not totally sure - I could be incorrect on the amnesty. But that was just my recollection.

As for Gasol... I know it's another year, but teams were interested in him last offseason. I could maybe a team or two being interested, if they felt it would push them over the hump, or if a lottery team felt like they'd at least make the playoffs with him.

I just don't see how they amnesty him if Kobe is still there. Kobe has been pretty outspoken about management, and I can't imagine he'd be okay with them letting Pau just walk without anything in return.

 

[PapaG]

I'm not totally sure - I could be incorrect on the amnesty. But that was just my recollection.

As for Gasol... I know it's another year, but teams were interested in him last offseason. I could maybe a team or two being interested, if they felt it would push them over the hump, or if a lottery team felt like they'd at least make the playoffs with him.

I just don't see how they amnesty him if Kobe is still there. Kobe has been pretty outspoken about management, and I can't imagine he'd be okay with them letting Pau just walk without anything in return.

If it was a part of getting Dwight Howard, and then potentially Chris Paul, perhaps he'd buy it?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

If it was a part of getting Dwight Howard, and then potentially Chris Paul, perhaps he'd buy it?

Yeah, but I don't see how that would happen. Dwight doesn't want to be second-fiddle in LA (or whatever that rumor was about him not wanting to come to LA).

And I can't see the Clips giving up CP3. Not via trade. Not to the LAL. Not for Pau.

 

[PapaG]

Yeah, but I don't see how that would happen. Dwight doesn't want to be second-fiddle in LA (or whatever that rumor was about him not wanting to come to LA).

And I can't see the Clips giving up CP3. Not via trade. Not to the LAL. Not for Pau.

Paul is a UFA in summer 2013, isn't he?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Paul is a UFA in summer 2013, isn't he?

So, LAL should amnesty Pau this summer to weaken themselves, Kobe gets a year older, and then they should try to sign CP3 next summer? As long as Kobe is under contract, LA doesn't have much cap space to sign FA's, especially if they have Bynum and/or Pau.

I just think that's a lot of eggs to put in one basket, just to even have an opportunity to try to sign CP3 and maybe pair him with Kobe. If I'm CP3, LAC's current roster looks more exciting to me than the Lakers.

I still think if they can't improve their roster via dealing Pau and/or Bynum... if you decide to amnesty Gasol... you start to get feelers on Kobe.

 

[PapaG]

So, LAL should amnesty Pau this summer to weaken themselves, Kobe gets a year older, and then they should try to sign CP3 next summer? As long as Kobe is under contract, LA doesn't have much cap space to sign FA's, especially if they have Bynum and/or Pau.

I just think that's a lot of eggs to put in one basket, just to even have an opportunity to try to sign CP3 and maybe pair him with Kobe. If I'm CP3, LAC's current roster looks more exciting to me than the Lakers.

I still think if they can't improve their roster via dealing Pau and/or Bynum... if you decide to amnesty Gasol... you start to get feelers on Kobe.

It would all be contingent on getting Howard from the Magic for Bynum, though. After that, you could amnesty Pau to set up a run for Paul in 2013. Howard/Bryant would be enough to make the playoffs in the West. If you don't get Howard, then you don't use the amnesty on Pau. Maybe you use it on Whirled Peas just to clear some tax dollars?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

It would all be contingent on getting Howard from the Magic for Bynum, though. After that, you could amnesty Pau to set up a run for Paul in 2013. Howard/Bryant would be enough to make the playoffs in the West. If you don't get Howard, then you don't use the amnesty on Pau. Maybe you use it on Whirled Peas just to clear some tax dollars?

Yeah. My thought on the D-Ho was that he didn't want to go to LA. He doesn't have much choice in that, if he's traded to LA. But I thought that's why LA didn't want to deal for him - they didn't want D-Ho if he wouldn't sign an extension first. But LA may be okay with that now, since both D-Ho and A-By will be FA's after this season.

Kobe, D-Ho, and CP3.... I hate the Lakers so badly. But that trio would be something to watch on the hardcourt.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Somebody will trade for him ...

 

[PapaG]

Somebody will trade for him ...

Who is going to eat up ~1/3 of their cap space with Pau Gasol, and give up assets to get him? LA won't trade him for garbage.