The time is ripe for the Lakers to completely transition from the Kobe Bryant/Pau Gasol era into the Kobe Bryant/Andrew Bynum era.
You can argue that the shift from the Bryant/Gasol Lakers to the Bryant/Bynum version took place last season, when Bynum surpassed Gasol in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and PER for the first time ever.
After getting bounced handily in the second round of the playoffs for the second straight year, it’s clear that the frontcourt tandem of Gasol and Bynum has hit the wall, especially in Mike Brown’s system.
Bynum’s growing role in the offense has crowded Gasol out of the post and into an uncomfortable spot-up jump shooting role. The fact that Gasol still averaged a 17-10-4 is a testament to just how talented a basketball player he is.
However, for two postseasons in a row it’s been evident that the two big men can no longer share the post effectively enough for the Lakers to contend for a championship. Since the start of the 2011 playoffs, Gasol’s postseason numbers have nosedived to a pitiful 12.8 points per game on 42.7 percent shooting, a precipitous drop off from his career averages of 18.6 points on 52 percent from the field.
If the Lakers plan to continue utilizing the Spaniard in the diminished capacity they played him in last year, they would be much better off moving him especially when you consider his contract situation.
L.A. is paying Gasol $19 million a year to do a mediocre Chris Bosh impersonation. Bosh only got $16 million last season for the actual thing.
Enter the Raptors. They are ideal trading partners for the Lakers in a Gasol deal.
Here’s the trade: L.A. sends Gasol and Metta World Amnesty…er, Peace to Toro...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
