Lakers Get Gasol ...And Then Dump Brown

How do the Lakers spell relief? G-A-S-O-L...Thank Kupchak for gettin off the pot, and earnin' your pay...

...That's right folks, it's an exclusive story broken by thelakersblog.com that General Manager Mitch Kupchak plans to announce today that the Los Angeles Lakers have acquired forward Pau Gasol in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers will also receive the Grizzlies second round draft choice in 2010. In exchange Memphis will receive forward Kwame Brown, guard Javaris Crittenton, guard Aaron McKie (who the Lakers signed earlier today), the draft rights to Marc Gasol and first round picks in 2008 and 2010.

Gasol, who is a 7th year player out of Spain, he averages 18.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.44 blocked shots per game this season. The 27 year old 7’0” forward/center has career averages of 18.8 points and 8.6 rebounds. A 2006 NBA All-Star and 2001-02 NBA Rookie of the Year, Gasol also won a gold medal with Spain at the 2006 FIBA World Championships while being named tournament MVP.

“We’re extremely pleased to be able to make this trade.” said Kupchak. “Pau is a proven player of all-star caliber in this league who can score and rebound and he’s still a young player. We feel this move strengthens our team in the short term as well as the long term.”

Here is some pre-trade stats...seems like a hellava deal to me...What do you guys think? Click the comments button below to weigh in on this...

Pau Gasol

Salary: $13,735,000 Years Remaining: 4
PTS: 18.9 REB: 8.8 AST: 3.0 PER: 20.55

Kwame Brown

Salary: $9,075,000 Years Remaining: 1
PTS: 5.7 REB: 5.7 AST: 1.2 PER: 9.87
HANDS: Too Small (like a baby elf)