Pau Gasol appreciation thread

[EArl]

Thanks for everything Pau. If you don't end up coming back next season you will be missed. Everyone knows that without you we wouldn't have won those back to back chips.

[Kilroy]

My take is that the FO decided early on in the season that Pau was going to be back next season and plan on offering him a decent 2 year extension to retire with Kobe, they just want to see how the draft and free agency go first.

Also, the FO decided early on this season that MDA would not be coming back next season, and so Pau becomes a ready-made excuse/reason for that decision...

To me, neither is that closely related.

I think this all comes down to Nash and his inability to stay healthy... If he had, I think we'd see Kobe, Nash and MDA, and Pau might have been the odd-man-out... But given the situation, Pau stays, MDA goes, and Nash can play in a new system or retire...

I also think the FO figures the right lottery prospect and Pau and Kobe with a decent FA here and there might be good enough in the short term until they can land a premier FA... But they'll leave their options open this off season too in case something special happens.

We'll see if I'm right, I guess.

[AAU Teammate]

Just from afar here....question - what are the things that went into consideration in deciding not to trade Pau?

[Slava]

Just from afar here....question - what are the things that went into consideration in deciding not to trade Pau?

They couldn't get a pick or young player in return. Better to keep him and resign him or facilitate a sign and trade in the summer than lose him for nothing.

[Kilroy]

...And we also didn't want to hurt our cap situation by taking back bad salary in return.

[TruSkool]

Pau's staying. He'll take a pay cut.

[dockingsched]

Just from afar here....question - what are the things that went into consideration in deciding not to trade Pau?

I think it was simply about the lakers setting a price for pau early on and not budging off of it. Caving would have compromised future trade talks by making it appear that other teams can just wait them out til they lowered their demands.

[inquisitive]

A class act on and off the court!

[The Skyhook]

I honestly hope that we can bring him back. I'd hate to see him anywhere else. I doubt we get a player better than Pau through free agency and it would be great to see Kobe and Pau end their careers together. First things first Fire D'Antoni.

[Ricard]

He will go to a championship contender. Oklahoma probably.

[aroba]

Interesting thing about Pau
http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... lpa01.html
Check similarity career below, the likes of Elgin Baylor, Kevin Mchale, Elvin Hayes...and then there is the international stage thing to consider
No doubt a HOF

[H00PDREAMS]

Don't worry Lakers org will retire his jersey when it's all said and done.

Because he will go to the HOF, you have to remember that we only retire HOFers

Yep! So, book it.

[vmor]

I always liked Pau's intelligent, unselfish play. If it is 'MDA or Pau' then it's no contest. There aren't many players of that caliber anywhere, yet MDA is incapable or unwilling to use Pau properly in his 'frenzied rabbits' style.
Also, imagine if the Lakers let Pau go: he may end up in OKC or SA - and practically guarantee 4-5 years of no NBA finals for Lakers
... or in MIA (several hours close to Barcelona) with no Lakers' titles for similar period...