NBA Free Agency: Lakers Eyeing Marc Gasol to Replace Dwight Howard

They say one must not tamper with a winning combination. But considering this is 2020 and nothing cliche works anymore, the Lakers are one of the many teams which are going through a transformation. Aside from their star duo, every other piece is standing on a tremor block. 

It all started with the Lakers acquiring Dennis Schroder by giving away Danny Green and the 28th pick. Then they agreed to a 1-year contract with Wesley Matthews. In the latest update, they’ve lost Dwight Howard to the Sixers and are eyeing Marc Gasol to fill the vacancy.

Marc Gasol to the Lakers is a highly probable scenario

A recent report suggested that the Toronto Raptors’ Marc Gasol is the Lakers’ free-agent target. If this deal takes shape, it will be after a gap of six years that the Lakers will again get a ‘Gasol’ to put gas into their championship-targeted vehicle. Interestingly, the Lakers had drafted Marc Gasol back in 2007 as an overall 48th pick. But they later traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies to receive Pau Gasol. That move helped them win back-to-back titles with Kobe Bryant as the lead.

Although they have JaVale McGee and now Montrezl Harrell, the Lakers are also considering other names to fill their center position. These names include are Serge Ibaka, DeMarcus Cousins, and Tristan Thompson. However, the salary cap can become an issue with the likes of Ibaka, and hence a Marc Gasol signing is appearing more realistic.

Will Marc prove to be as good as his elder brother?

This 35-year-old veteran with a funny nickname (Beer Papi) won his first NBA ring in 2019, with the Raptors. That year, he had averaged 9.1 ppg in the regular season, having played only 26 games with the Raptors.

The Lakers are certainly not going to get the same Marc Gasol that played with the Grizzlies, but he can still help them. The 6’11” center is known for his basketball IQ and an unorthodox playing style given his physique. His passing skills are very good, and so is his mid-range shooting.

Last but not least, Gasol’s three-point shooting can help the Lakers big time in the absence of players good from the perimeter. The only area he needs to work upon is his athleticism, and this where LeBron James can probably take the matter into his hands to inspire him.                                                         

Do you believe this can be a good move?