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Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking the first wave of offseason moves

By Jason Reed

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 09: Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors prior to the start of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 09, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 09: Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors prior to the start of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 09, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ashley Landis – Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Ashley Landis – Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Signing Marc Gasol

This is the latest move that the Los Angeles Lakers have made — at the time of writing this — and yet again it was another really savvy move by Rob Pelinka. It was more complicated than just outright signing Marc Gasol, though. Pelinka had to pull some strings.

First, we had to get JaVale McGee’s contract off the books. So what he did was trade McGee and a future second-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Jordan Bell and Alfonso McKinnie. This is important, as both Bell and McKinnie are on non-guaranteed contracts so the Lakers can waive them without impacting the cap.

The team then went and signed Gasol to a two-year deal. Marc could become the second Gasol brother to win a championship in LA and he still has a lot to offer. He is no longer prime Marc Gasol, but he is still pretty dang solid.

Gasol averaged 7.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season. He gives the Lakers that same anchoring presence near the rim that they got with Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee but Gasol is also a really decent passer for a center and can stretch the floor — shooting 38.5% from deep last season.

Gasol is a big improvement from Howard and McGee and is going to offer the Los Angeles Lakers even more versatility. The Lakers still need to add a backup center (perhaps DeMarcus Cousins to split minutes with Gasol). Nonetheless, this is a great move.

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