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by MARK GREY 2.13.10 Every year as the NBA trade deadline approaches, the rumors of star players switching teams get louder. More often than not, the deadline passes with nothing more than a few role players switching teams and draft picks being exchanged. But every once in a while there is a trade that shakes the entire NBA. That was the case two years ago when the last place Memphis Grizzlies shipped their best player off to the first place Lakers for what many called next to nothing. The trade puzzled many in the NBA circle and even upset some coaches. What once looked like the worst trade in franchise history is now the reason that the Grizzlies are once again relevant in the NBA.
When the news first broke that the Grizzlies shipped off Pau Gasol, the best player in the franchise’s young history, for Kwame Brown, a rookie, a retired player, some draft picks, and the rights to Gasol's brother in Spain, many were baffled. Why would the Grizzlies give up their best player for so little? Was this Jerry West doing the Lakers one last favor on his way out the door? Spurs coach Greg Popavich ripped the trade saying, “What they did in Memphis is beyond comprehension.” He even went as far as suggesting that a trade committee be formed to prevent such lopsided trades in the future. While the Spurs' coach was the most vocal in his protest of the trade, he was not alone. The trade had many of the league's top General Mangers screaming foul. The NBA may have been wondering what the Grizzlies were thinking that day, but just two short years later, they now know.
Anytime you see Kwame Brown’s name mentioned in a trade, especially for an All-Star player, your first reaction is to think robbery. However, in this case, Brown was just what the Grizzlies needed. At the time of the trade, the Grizzlies were a last place team with an unhappy star player to whom they owed 49 million dollars over the next three years. By trading for Brown and his expiring contract, Memphis was able to free up some much needed cap room for the near future. With the newfound cap relief from the Gasol trade, the Grizzlies were able to land the talented Zach Randolph. While many were skeptical about the Randolph signing this off-season, Randolph now looks like a steal after being named to his first All-Star game this season.
At the time of the trade, Pau’s younger brother Marc was seen as nothing more than a throw-in by the Lakers, but what a difference two years makes. Not only is Marc putting up almost identical numbers as his super star brother, he is almost five years younger and costs less than a quarter of the price. Together, the younger Gasol and Randolph have formed one of the most productive front courts in the NBA this season.
For those who thought the Grizzlies had all but thrown away their franchise, they were clearly mistaken. Two years ago at the trade deadline, the team was 13-33 and in utter disarray. This year's team is over .500 at the All-Star break and fighting for a playoff spot. One can only wonder how lopsided of a trade Popavich and the Spurs thought it was when they lost to the Grizzlies by six points just last month.
The definition of a good trade is one that makes both teams better. By that definition, there are very few trades in sports that are good. Looking back at the Gasol trade now, there is no denying that both teams got what they were looking for. The Lakers got the last piece to a Championship puzzle and the Grizzlies have returned to respectability. What once was called the worst trade in recent memory by NBA experts now has people wondering who really got the best of whom.
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