5 Players the Lakers Should Have Found a Way to Keep

May 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) complains to the referees about a call during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 106-91. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

5. Pau Gasol

Speaking of jerseys hanging in the rafters at Staples Center, after making the All-Star team this year Gasol capped off a stunning comeback with his selection as the second team All-NBA center for the 2014-15 season. This was profound vindication for Gasol after the Lakers foolishly gave up on him, and it signified yet another major blunder by a franchise that should have known better.

-== Top 10 Lakers Draft Picks of All-Time ==-

Gasol joined the team in 2008. The Lakers had foundered since O’Neal departed, and Gasol immediately helped turn things around and the team made three consecutive appearances in the NBA finals, winning two championships. Unfortunately Phil Jackson departed and everything turned sour for Gasol and the team. When Mike D’Antoni was hired as coach things hit rock bottom for Gasol. In one tight game he was benched for the entire fourth quarter. When D’Antoni was asked after the game why he kept Gasol off the court at such a crucial time he uttered the now infamous words, “Because we wanted to win.”

The Lakers tried to make Gasol and Andrew Bynum mesh and thus played Gasol away from the post and out of position in his final seasons with the team. Still, when he was healthy, he was a good player to the very end. After what many perceived to be the poor treatment he received from D’Antoni and the front office, this past offseason Gasol accepted less money to sign with the Bulls.  Chicago made a deep playoff run and Gasol was instrumental in that success. He showed he still has a lot left in the tank. The Lakers blew it by letting him go.

Next: Honorable Mention