Is Pau still not worth a 1st-round pick?

[kobeunderbite]

Pau's last 8 games:

20-13-4
21-11-6
22-11-4
20-19-1
22-9-1
24-13-6
24-9-5
20-12-3

on 53% as the only competent player on the floor.

[kobeunderbite]

Lakers beasting tank mode right now btw:

[Max]

Pau for Orlando's first?

[kobeunderbite]

Pau for Orlando's first?

Pau to Phoenix for Okafor and a 1st makes a lot of sense.

[Max]

Pau for Orlando's first?

Pau to Phoenix for Okafor and a 1st makes a lot of sense.

Good deal for phoenix.

[ripper76]

How long does Pau have left in the league? A year, two? Most teams aren't going to give up a first round pick that could be a very good player for 12-15 years for Gasol. If he was going to put a team over the top in the next year or two maybe, but what team would he do that for?

[kobeunderbite]

How long does Pau have left in the league? A year, two? Most teams aren't going to give up a first round pick that could be a very good player for 12-15 years for Gasol. If he was going to put a team over the top in the next year or two maybe, but what team would he do that for?

How often does a mid-late first rounder end up a 'very good player' for 12-15 years? We're talking a serviceable player for that long in an optimistic scenario.

He could certainly take Phoenix from first-round fodder to competitive second round material, or make a team like OKC a title favorite.

[ripper76]

How long does Pau have left in the league? A year, two? Most teams aren't going to give up a first round pick that could be a very good player for 12-15 years for Gasol. If he was going to put a team over the top in the next year or two maybe, but what team would he do that for?

How often does a mid-late first rounder end up a 'very good player' for 12-15 years? We're talking a serviceable player for that long in an optimistic scenario.

He could certainly take Phoenix from first-round fodder to competitive second round material, or make a team like OKC a title favorite.

That's the trade-off. There is plenty of uncertainty around a draft pick but I think most teams hope for the best. The potential and chance to get a very good player is worth a lot to most teams.

If a team like Phoenix wants to lose in the 2nd round instead of the 1st round then they'll make the move. OKC would have to give up a player with a decent sized salary to make it work with them. Gasol's $19 million contract makes him tough to move to most contenders, who are over the cap.

[kobeunderbite]

How long does Pau have left in the league? A year, two? Most teams aren't going to give up a first round pick that could be a very good player for 12-15 years for Gasol. If he was going to put a team over the top in the next year or two maybe, but what team would he do that for?

How often does a mid-late first rounder end up a 'very good player' for 12-15 years? We're talking a serviceable player for that long in an optimistic scenario.

He could certainly take Phoenix from first-round fodder to competitive second round material, or make a team like OKC a title favorite.

That's the trade-off. There is plenty of uncertainty around a draft pick but I think most teams hope for the best. The potential and chance to get a very good player is worth a lot to most teams.

If a team like Phoenix wants to lose in the 2nd round instead of the 1st round then they'll make the move. OKC would have to give up a player with a decent sized salary to make it work with them. Gasol's $19 million contract makes him tough to move to most contenders, who are over the cap.

There are many conceivable trade scenarios in which the Lakers could involve a third team and send Pau to a contender.

[Titan18]

He's had a comeback month in January. Averaging 22/12 I believe. He probably
Wants one more decent contract before hanging them up. He might be worth a late first rounder but I don't see anyone giving up a top 10-15 pick for him.