Gasol is a nice Spanish acquisition
LAKERS GET PAU GASOL
Center-forward had All-Star credentials with Grizzlies. Brown, Crittenton and two No. 1 picks go to Memphis.
TORONTO -- In a bold, swift move, the Lakers improved their franchise and impressed their franchise player, a two-step process that pushed them closer toward the front of the Western Conference line on a pivotal, perhaps memorable, Friday.
Seven-foot forward-center Pau Gasol was acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, first-round draft picks in 2008 and 2010 and other considerations, a move that gave the Lakers a post presence with All-Star credentials in his recent past.
It also gave their current All-Star increased peace of mind, allowing the tumult of last summer to drift a bit more into the past, perhaps coming to rest in a place not to be disturbed again.
"It shows a great deal of commitment from the organization," Kobe Bryant said before scoring 46 points in the Lakers' 121-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors. "I have to take my hat off to Dr. [Jerry] Buss and [General Manager] Mitch [Kupchak] for going forward with this. Now it's up to us to go out there and work hard."
Bryant was then asked if the deal would secure a long-term commitment from him, even though he could terminate his contract after next season.
"Ah, it doesn't hurt," he said.
It was the trade that ricocheted through the West, if not the league, enthralling the Lakers to no end and putting other teams on notice.
"Everything's looking pretty good in Lakerland," an NBA scout said Friday, shaking his head in admiration or surprise, or both.
In addition to Brown, who never lived up to the promise of being the top pick in the 2001 draft, and Crittenton, a rookie who was intriguing in spurts, the Lakers gave up the rights to Marc Gasol, who was one of their second-round picks last year and who is Pau's younger brother.
In an illustration of creative thinking by Kupchak, the Lakers signed retired free agent Aaron McKie and sent him to the Grizzlies to make the exchanged salaries equitable under NBA trade rules.
McKie, who was serving as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers, resigned that post on Friday and signed for $750,000.
Beyond Gasol, the Lakers received the Grizzlies' second-round pick in 2010.
"We're pleased," Kupchak said. "It has to translate into W's. We're concerned we gave up future talent, but we want to win today."
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