Boston Gets I.T.(‘)s Star
Get it? Isaiah Thomas? I.T.? No? Okay.
Boston has been linked to trading for just about every superstar since they robbed Brooklyn, even if rumored superstar is ‘available’ or not. Not shockingly, they’ve been linked to (again) guys like Jimmy Butler, Paul George, and Gordon Hayward. But what if their star is old and injured and is worth a gamble on?
It’s not often that the Spurs trade, let alone during the regular season. Normally they’re just rolling to another 55-60 win season with the help of cast out veterans (David Lee, Joel Anthony), international gems (David Bertans), and the classic core of Gregg Popovich, Ginobili, and Tony Parker.
Currently, the Spurs are 41-13, good for 2nd place in the Western Conference; and quietly a few games behind 1st place. While they could not make a single move and make it to the Conference Finals, I think they may consider a move considering their ‘big free agent acquisition’ is currently on the shelf and is no bet to come back and instantly make an impact.
Now, to be fair, Pau Gasol is an excellent player. He can hit a 18-foot jumpshot as easily as if he was shooting a layup underneath the basket. His passing is matched by very few players in the league, and can still pull down his fair share of boards at 36 (7.9 on the season).
While the Spurs brought him in to bridge the hole Tim Duncan left in the staring lineup, (and the Spurs knew Gasol wouldn’t play in all 82 games, per Pop’s I’m going to rest my players way more than all the other teams and still finish 2nd in the West policy) they definitely were hoping to see more than 39 games out of him at this point. This is exactly why Boston needs to get him.
It doesn’t matter where the Spurs draft, they always find good talent no matter where they pick. (See Murray, Dejounte, Ginobili, Manu, Parker, Tony, Bertans, David, the list goes on and on). They wouldn’t demand any of the Nets picks, but they could nab a later first rounder, like in 2019, for Gasol.
I know I’m deviating by including a player already included in another deal (Johnson for Faried), I think this actually may be a better move for Boston despite Gasol’s age.
Gasol knows Boston well, after being a part of many intense playoff battles during his time in L.A. He knows what they’re about, and he knows they’re building a winning program while still able to bring in exceptional young talent through the draft. He could easily be convinced to use his player option next season regardless of how Boston’s season finishes out, and still leave room for Boston to go after a Gordon Hayward in free agency.
Whlie Gasol wouldn’t be able to play 36 minutes a night, he could definitely match/exceed Amir’s 19.8 MPG, and add another passer to the starting 5; allowing Horford to move to his more natural position at the 4. I think Boston’s offense could become top 5 with the move.
The Spurs get younger and bring in a guy that can play the 4 or 5, and actually is a pretty good fit in the Spurs’ system. He can start or come off the bench, and would be a good fit next to Aldridge or Dedmon. Regardless, I think this may be my best one yet.