Pau Gasol to Lakers – Fantasy Impact
February 2, 2008 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under NBA News, NFL Player Analysis
In a move that sent shockwaves through the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies traded Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers in a move that netted the Grizzlies cap flexibility and prospects. The Lakers, on the other hand, got a player who could elevate their team from playoff contender to championship contender.
In the fantasy basketball world, this trade also has a huge impact. With Gasol on the Lakers, he’ll be surrounded by a lot of good scorers and rebounders, which will negatively affect his scoring and rebounding totals. However, he should also become a more efficient player because he won’t have to do anything he isn’t capable of doing.
Specifically, expect his scoring average to go from 18.9 to a number closer to 16. His rebounding should go from his current 8.6 to somewhere in the neighborhood of 7.5. However, his assists should go up, his field goal percentage should go up and even his blocks should go up as he’s able to concentrate more on defense. All in all, it should be a wash, fantasy wise.
Kwame Brown and Javaris Crittenton two first round draft picks were sent to the Lakers. Word is that Brown will be bought out and become a free agent. While it’s safe to say Brown is a bust, if a team signs him and gives him a starting spot – he could become serviceable in the fantasy world. Crittenton is a very good talent whose true worth is in dynasty fantasy leagues. At 20-years-old, Crittenton is a young prospect with a very bright future.
Once the Lakers get back Andrew Bynum from injury, they should become a force in the Western Conference. A starting lineup of Gasol, Bynum, Lamar Odom, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher is extremely formidable.
As for the Grizzlies, expect them to struggle even more now. Rudy Gay and Mike Miller will become the go-to players on a nightly basis, which is good news for fantasy owners of Gay and Miller. In a separate trade, the Grizzlies dealt Stromile Swift for Jason Collins to the Nets in a move that will offer even more flexibility. With both Gasol and Swift gone, expect more time for Darko Milicic and Hakim Warrick at the bigman positions.
Check out True Hoop, where Henry Abbott breaks down the trade and talks about The Memphis Side of the Story.
Also check out the Grizzlies and Lakers message boards, where fans are sounding off.
Kobe Bryant’s reaction to the trade …
I disagree with some of your analysis on the fantasy impact. I think his temporary move to center and newfound motivation would increase his board production. Also, I think his scoring should come up a bit. I’m guessing to around 22-23 points, atleast until Bynum returns, but 16 seems insanely low. Pau is going to have a lot less defensive pressure in LA with Kobe around which will allow him some more 1on1 situations (which he excels at). You should’ve also mentioned the effects on other Memphis players such as Milicic and Navarro. I’m not certain, but they might go small (which I think was their intent for the trade) with Lowry, Navarro, Miller, Gay, Milicic. The absense of Pau will leave an extra 35 minutes for them to share. Even Kwame might get a chance to play.. Probably not..
Thanks for the comment!
I agree that Gasol will likely be charged up and score well when he first joins the Lakers. However, there’s a big difference being the first option on the Grizzlies and being the second option, at best, on the Lakers. Eventually I project him to average between 16 to 17 points with the Lakers. We’ll see but I don’t think he’ll get enough touches to average the 22 to 23 points you project.
I agree with your projected lineup, except that Conley will start over Lowry. Navarro has a skillset that makes him a good combo guard to come off the bench. With that in mind, don’t be surprised to eventually see Conley and Lowry in the backcourt together — or even Conley and Crittenton.
Thanks again for your opinion.