A local Memphis newspaper is reporting that a deal between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers is a done deal and will be announced shortly. The Grizzlies will send Pau Gasol and a future second round NBA Draft pick to the Lakers for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the draft rights to Pau Gasol’s brother Marc and future NBA Draft first round picks in 2008 and 2010. In order to make the deal work, the Lakers will have to do a sign-and-trade for McKie to clear some cap room - McKie is currently not playing in the NBA but his draft rights are owned by the Lakers.
The trades main focal point is obviously Pau Gasol, who the Grizzlies have been contemplating moving for some time now. Gasol, who was the 3rd pick overall in the 2001 NBA Draft, is averaging 18.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game - both right inline with his career averages.
Kwame Brown, who was the 1st overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, is averaging 5.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. When Michael Jordan was with the Wizards, Brown was his prodigy - however he never lived up to the expectations of a number 1 NBA Draft pick.
The trade looks to benefit both teams, however the Grizzlies looked to have gotten the better end of the deal. The Laker get another scoring threat down low (even though Gasol’s defense is suspect) to help Kobe and the Grizzlies get cap room and some good draft picks down the road. This is the type of trade that we cant fully judge until a few years down the road.
