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5 players that likely won’t be on the Los Angeles Lakers after this season

By Jonathan Kiernan

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers consoles Markieff Morris #88 during the first quarter of a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers consoles Markieff Morris #88 during the first quarter of a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Marc Gasol

Lakers fans were jumping for joy when it was announced that former Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol was landing with the Lakers.

A return of a prodigal son.

Having gone to Memphis in a trade that brought his brother Pau to the Lakers, Marc had gone on to have a wonderful career with Memphis and was one year removed from winning his 1st title with the Toronto Raptors alongside Kyle Lowry and now Los Angeles Clipper Kawhi Leonard.

Fans of the purple and gold were thrilled to have Gasol on the Lakers. He brought a championship pedigree, an ability to stretch the floor,  and a basketball IQ that rivals any of the keenest minds in the NBA today. Not to mention Marc Gasol is considered one of the best passing big men the league has seen in decades.

The Lakers lost Rondo but they added another member in Gasol to the Laker’s brain trust.

Having said all this, there was worry amongst fans also that Gasol’s best days were long behind him and that while he still had something left in the tank, it was fair to say he was closer to the end of his career than he was to the start.

While Gasol started off well, it was clear for all to see that Marc simply doesn’t have enough in the tank to be impactful on a nightly basis.

While the Lakers signed Gasol to a two-year deal, to all in the know, the deal is widely considered to be a glorified one-year deal with the Lakers giving Gasol the money for the 2nd year upon his retirement at the end of this season.

That is not guaranteed but is certainly a possibility.

Gasol still is capable of giving the Lakers some valuable minutes in the playoffs when the time comes but with the addition of Andre Drummond alongside Montrezl Harrell, it is clear that Gasol’s days with the Lakers are numbered.

Lakersnation will always have a fond place for Marc Gasol in their hearts. While many look back and wonder what the Lakers would have looked like with Marc and Pau on the Lakers at the same time. (We almost had that this season with rumors of Pau joining the team, alas he signed with Barcelona).

If Marc does retire as expected at the years end, it has been a stellar career and fans of the purple and gold will always look back fondly at Marc Gasol’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers.

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