The Lakers are poised to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season—when Rudy Tomjanovich and Frank Hamblen showed exactly how important Phil Jackson was with their less-than-stellar coaching from the sidelines.
Kobe Bryant has played just six games due to injury, role players are dropping like flies and bright spots have been genuinely difficult to find.
As a result, the front office should already be considering offseason trades as a means of putting a playoff-caliber supporting cast around Bryant as his career winds to a close.
Only three players have guaranteed contracts for the 2014-15 season—Bryant, Steve Nash and Robert Sacre—so trade partners may not surface for the Lakers at all.
With that said, there are a couple of long shots LA could consider as they enter an offseason full of uncertainty.
Pau Gasol Sign-And-Trade
Pau Gasol’s days in a purple and gold uniform appear to be numbered. After winning back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010, he’s been a mainstay in trade rumors while continually getting criticized by members of the fanbase.
Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding wrote recently that the veteran Spaniard will likely part ways with the storied LA franchise, and it’s hard to disagree with his logic.
This summer, Gasol will move on to some other NBA franchise where, along with his two championship rings, the fresh fans will respect all that is clearly good in him—much as Lakers fans saw generosity in his heart when Memphis Grizzlies fans only saw Gasol wasn’t selfish enough to prop up a team all by himself.
The soon-to-be 34-year-old needs a change of scene...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
