Given the team's needs, acquiring a first-round pick would improve prospects for the future. However, the scenarios that Amico presents are entirely unrealistic, specifically one involving power forward Pau Gasol.
In this hypothetical circumstance, the Cleveland Cavaliers would acquire the No. 2 pick from the Charlotte Bobcats and take Bradley Beal, whom the Washington Wizards like very much. In this case, according to Amico, the Lakers would try to acquire the third pick from Washington in a deal involving Pau Gasol.
Now that your eyes are done popping out of your heads, let's discuss the absurdity of Amico's scenario.
First, this trade could never happen under the current CBA. The Wizards are over the cap now that they've acquired Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor, and they also have Nene's contract to worry about. Those three salaries alone add up to $32.4 million for next season. Thus, there's no way they could also take on Gasol and the $19 million remaining on his deal without doing some major roster slashing.
On top of that, what kind of starting lineup would that leave the Wizards? Would it be Nene at center, Okafor at power forward, Gasol at small forward, Jordan Crawford at shooting guard and John Wall at the point? Or would it be some other variation?
No matter how you look at it, it just doesn't make sense.
Amico also mentioned the possibility of dealing Metta World Peace, who is due just over $13 million in the next two years, for a late-first-round pick.
Allow me to rattle off a few teams who have picks at that point: the Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls and...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers