Rekindling the Pau debate.

Krapinsky · Post #1 » by **Krapinsky** » Tue May 22, 2012 4:41 pm

It's not a matter of if, but when Pau will be traded from the Lakers. Without a doubt, the Timberwolves will be one of the teams that will be rumored. Are there any people that still think Pau could make some sense for us?

He'll be 32 next season and will have two more years on his contract @ $19M and $19.25M, respectively. He can play center -- and at this point in his career is probably better suited to play center. He brings length that we don't otherwise have, except for Darko. He would be a great fit from a chemistry perspective for the corner offense. Not many teams have two bigs that can play inside and out.

On the downside, his contract would hurt our ability to seriously upgrade our wings.

Viljanen · Post #2 » by **Viljanen** » Tue May 22, 2012 4:59 pm

They´re going to kill you for re-opening this debate :-?

Anyway, I always say I´d love that (for obvious reasons, but also because I´m sure that a team like such 3 bigs guys would always be almost a contender even with wings at this year´s level, and, being serious, that´s the maximum a team like Wolves can aim at with almost 0 capacity of atracting good free agents without overpaying -Barea this year-). The problem is that Derrick + fillers as the only option and makes no sense for the lakers, and they don´t need potential with a soon declining kobe.

Unless they get a big name in exchange (like in the Paul case, and I don´t think today´s Gasol and his contract can give a star in return now) I think they´ll try to trade Bynum instead.

Tirion · Post #3 » by **Tirion** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:00 pm

Taylor is not taking on salary, it's been pretty clear for a while now.

Post #4 » by **Worm Guts** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:02 pm

He's declining and has a huge salary so that's worrisome, but he might be the most available way to improve. It would also help keep both Pek and Love fresh. I worry about Love's health playing 40 minutes a night.

Foye · Post #5 » by **Foye** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:08 pm

I don't want him.

touchedbyPek · Post #6 » by **touchedbyPek** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:08 pm

I like Pau, and still believe he can play at a near All-Star level, but I'm just not sure how he fits with this team. With Pek and Love in the fold I just don't see how everyone would get the minutes. That said, getting Pau would probably propel us to the playoffs with his added chemistry, vet smarts.

Post #7 » by **Klomp** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:10 pm

Tirion wrote:Taylor is not taking on salary, it's been pretty clear for a while now.

He's not?!

Krapinsky · Post #8 » by **Krapinsky** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:22 pm

As much as I like Pek, I think adding Pau is an upgrade in talent. If there isn't room for both, then we could move Pek for a badly needed wing.

Saltine · Post #9 » by **Saltine** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:28 pm

Lol, no. We need wings, not a vastly overpaid backup pf.

Post #10 » by **Worm Guts** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:30 pm

Krapinsky wrote:As much as I like Pek, I think adding Pau is an upgrade in talent. If there isn't room for both, then we could move Pek for a badly needed wing.

But Gasol is declining while Pek is just entering his prime. And Pek makes a full max contract less. But I think there is room for all three.

Blue Wolf · Post #11 » by **Blue Wolf** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:47 pm

I think Pau would be a great fit for us but I wouldnt use Williams or any picks.my best offer, take it or leave it, would be JJ / Luke + Wes + Darko + Beasley / Randolph for Pau

I'd only do it if we're able to cash in the Webster / Miller chips + Williams to get an above average wing first

Esohny · Post #12 » by **Esohny** » Tue May 22, 2012 6:19 pm

Klomp wrote:
Tirion wrote:Taylor is not taking on salary, it's been pretty clear for a while now.

He's not?!

I suppose we'll find out. I wouldn't be my life on it.

digitaldropoff · Post #13 » by **digitaldropoff** » Tue May 22, 2012 6:41 pm

Pau is an upgrade for us....he's a little better than Pek at this point, but not by much...and he's easily better than any other big we have. He would keep our starters fresh, and we know he's a solid 12-15 ppg at the five spot....and I would say that would be starting or coming off the bench. There's three problems with a Gasol trade to Minnesota though. He's getting too old, he's way too overpaid, and the Lakers for whatever reason will demand outrageous things like DW and the 18th, plus nice filler....when he's not worth that much to us or them in reality.
The best I could give LA would be Darko, Wes, and JJ....but even that will put us five million short of matching salaries. And that's the point I'm getting to...I don't want to tap into our spending funds on someone who's barely better than Pek, and won't be fore much longer....while being way older and overpaid. If we want to get another big, which we need....we could look elsewhere for cheaper. Hawes, Gray, Brown, even Hollins or Sheldon Williams would be a cheaper and more productive back up center than Darko.
As others have said....this team needs perimeter scoring threats, any and all kinds welcome...because we have no production there currently.

daboywonder2007 · Post #14 » by **daboywonder2007** » Tue May 22, 2012 8:31 pm

but gasol is just what the wolves need. dude can operate from the high or low post. great passer. can rebound. i think he fits in perfectly with adelman's system. i would do beas +18th pick.

Blue Wolf · Post #15 » by **Blue Wolf** » Tue May 22, 2012 8:36 pm

Wings are the priority, yes, but we also need a third reliable big and veteran leadership even moreso. Trade Williams + Webster and Miller to Philly for Iggy, draft Barton/Ross/Waiters @ 18, then JJ or Luke + Wes, Darko and Ellington for Gasol + Goudelock.

Pg - Rubio / Luke or JJ / Lee
SG - #18 / Lee / Goudelock
Sf - Iggy
PF - Love / Gasol
C - Pekovic / Gasol

LordBaldric · Post #16 » by **LordBaldric** » Tue May 22, 2012 9:09 pm

If Kahn did this I'd fly up to Minnesota and punch him in the face. Adding $20 million on a 3rd big when our wing situation is what it is is beyond incompetent.

Newsflash: George Steinbrenner isn't the owner of this team.

AQuintus · Post #17 » by **AQuintus** » Tue May 22, 2012 10:22 pm

I might be open to a Pau trade under 2 conditions:

1. We use Pekovic in a trade for an all-star or near all-star wing (i.e. Pek + Williams for Harden + Perkins).

2. We don't use anything more valuable than expirings + 18 to get him.

Jajwanda · Post #18 » by **Jajwanda** » Tue May 22, 2012 10:30 pm

You know there's another problem to this whole debate. The Lakers were pretty set on the idea of Gasol bringing in a future star. I don't think he will so perhaps, the Lakers simply keep him and work through other means to bring in cheaper talent. I expect Beasley to be a Laker. I realize that the Blake deal failed but perhaps another version of the deal can be drawn up where Minnesota takes less salary for a pick.

Krapinsky · Post #19 » by **Krapinsky** » Tue May 22, 2012 11:28 pm

Jajwanda wrote:You know there's another problem to this whole debate. The Lakers were pretty set on the idea of Gasol bringing in a future star. I don't think he will so perhaps, the Lakers simply keep him and work through other means to bring in cheaper talent. I expect Beasley to be a Laker. I realize that the Blake deal failed but perhaps another version of the deal can be drawn up where Minnesota takes less salary for a pick.

Pau is 100% gone. I guarantee you that much. Beasley doesn't help the Lakers at all really. Last thing the Lakers need is another ball stopper.

Post #20 » by **Danny Darko** » Tue May 22, 2012 11:42 pm

Viljanen wrote:They´re going to kill you for re-opening this debate

Anyway, I always say I´d love that (for obvious reasons, but also because I´m sure that a team like such 3 bigs guys would always be almost a contender even with wings at this year´s level, and, being serious, that´s the maximum a team like Wolves can aim at with almost 0 capacity of atracting good free agents without overpaying -Barea this year-). The problem is that Derrick + fillers as the only option and makes no sense for the lakers, and they don´t need potential with a soon declining kobe.

Unless they get a big name in exchange (like in the Paul case, and I don´t think today´s Gasol and his contract can give a star in return now) I think they´ll try to trade Bynum instead.

Actually I think the Lakers are eyeing depth. our bench killed us and I know there has been talk that Hill can take Pau's spot as long as we get really good bench players