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Grizzlies trade Gasol to Lakers

February 1, 2008

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA (TICKER) -- The Memphis Grizzlies have found a taker for Pau Gasol.

The Grizzlies on Friday traded Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers for center Kwame Brown, rookie guard Javaris Crittenton, guard Aaron McKie and first-round picks in 2008 and 2010.

Memphis also received the draft rights to Marc Gasol, Pau Gasol's younger brother, while Los Angeles got back a second-round pick in 2010.

A 7-footer who has been the face of the Grizzlies' franchise since he entered the league in 2001, Gasol had been the subject of numerous trade rumors in recent seasons.

Gasol would seem to be a perfect fit in Los Angeles where the Lakers have a major void in the middle with young center Andrew Bynum sidelined with a knee injury.

"We're extremely pleased to be able to make this trade," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. "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."

The acquisition of Gasol also has to be a welcome sight for Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, who questioned the franchise's commitment to winning prior to this season.

At 28-16, the Lakers have been a surprise this season. They are second in the Pacific Division and fifth overall in the competitive Western Conference.

Still just 27 years old and a player who possesses a solid offensive game, Gasol will give the Lakers another option when Bynum returns since he has the ability to play both power forward and center.

An All-Star in 2006, Gasol is averaging 18.9 points and 8.8 rebounds in 39 games this season. Those numbers are nearly identical to the Spaniard's career averages of 18.8 points and 8.6 rebounds.

One of the major questions surrounding the 2001 Rookie of the Year has always been his toughness and his penchant for disappearing in the fourth quarter of games.

Gasol did win a gold medal with Spain at the 2006 FIBA World Championships while being named tournament MVP.

Dealing Gasol, who is owed nearly $50 million over the next three years, will give the rebuilding Grizzlies salary cap relief.

A major disappointment since Michael Jordan tabbed him as the first overall pick for the Washington Wizards in 2001, Brown is making $9.075 million in the final year of his contract, a major reason why he is an attractive commodity to Memphis.

The 6-11 Brown is enduring a third straight unproductive season with the Lakers, averaging 5.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. He also drew the ire of Los Angeles fans on a nightly basis.

Brown, 25, has career averages of 7.6 points and 5.7 rebounds in 389 games.

In Crittenton, who was selected 19th overall by the Lakers in June's draft, the Grizzlies receive another young player to build around. The 6-5, 198-pounder has seen limited playing time in his rookie campaign, averaging 3.3 points.

McKie, who is not playing in the NBA this season, was signed by the Lakers and had has rights traded to the Grizzlies in order to make the deal work financially.

A 22-year-old center, Marc Gasol currently is playing with Spanish club Akasvayu Girona.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal also reported that the Grizzlies are expected to trade forward Stromile Swift to the New Jersey Nets for center Jason Collins. That deal is expected to be finalized Monday.