Quote:
Originally Posted by Mutt
what's the point in freeing up cap space when your franchise is such a joke that none of the top free agents want to go there? the two first picks from LA are going to be low draft positions - they could have done much better than this deal. it doesnt matter really - the Grizzlies are one of those franchises like the Clippers and Nets that will always suck, even when they turn things around for awhile and it looks like a bright future ahead franchises like them alway find a way to crash again.
nothing works out well for the grizzlies
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Not sure I would consider what the Lakers gave up as "peanuts". The Lakers basically gave up 3 first round picks (2 futures pics + Crittendon, this years first pic) and the rights to Gasol's brother who is currently a star in Europe. With so many NBA teams in financial distress and struggling with the salary cap, 1st round picks are now the most sought after commodity because their salaries are locked the first 3 years. Teams who stockpile those can free up money for big free agents and still stay well under the cap. Obviously if the Lakers go far into the playoffs those 1st round picks will be low even though next years draft is predicted to be the best in years. Unfortunately this is what happens to small market teams who don't produce the revenue to resign stars with large expiring contracts.
With the Lakers adding Gasol they have greatly shortened their window for having to win a championship as they are going to really struggle this off season to stay under the cap and will probably have to trade/release some players they would otherwise want to keep. This isn't the old Jerry Buss who was willing to pay the luxury tax and go over the cap to acquire players. The cap is the reason they had to decide between Kobe and Shaq and why they haven't been able to add any notable players the last few years. With overall league revenue flatlined, this may be the first offseason the salary cap is not increased forcing many teams to be very prudent fiscally.