There isn't a lot of new information in the NBA trade rumor that has the Los Angeles Lakers dealing Pau Gasol for Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Derrick Williams. There is new analysis from the experts, however, as SB Nation's Tom Ziller took a look at the possible trade on Wednesday morning.
Ziller analyzed the rumored deal following Williams' breakout game on Tuesday night -- the Wolves reserve forward scored 27 points off the bench -- and came up with a conclusion quite a few around the Land of 10,000 Lakes had already made as soon as they noticed how Gasol was being paid. Ziller's analysis is impeccable, though, as the following excerpt breaks the negative side down very well.
That's why I'm skeptical that dealing Williams for a player like Gasol -- a non-MVP candidate who plays at All-Star level over the age of 28 or 29 -- is the right move. It's all about the goal and the projection of potential. If you deal the 20-year-old Williams for the 31-year-old Gasol, you're seeing an immediate upgrade ... but the Wolves wouldn't be an instant title contender. Gasol's not going to get younger and more effective over time (unless the Wolves poach the Phoenix Suns' training staff). Rubio-Love-Gasol doesn't look like a title team, even if you count on Ricky's jumper improving and Gasol hanging on.
It really doesn't make sense to go into win-now mode for the Timberwolves considering the nucleus of the team is young and still improving. If they quit improving, it certainly makes sense to maybe shake things up, but that hasn't happened yet -- and hopefully won't for awhile.
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