5 Trade Scenarios where the Los Angeles Lakers would trade Paul Gasol to the Eastern Conference

• The Los Angeles Lakers want to compete for an NBA title this year.  It also appears that the Los Angeles Lakers have decided that the best way to do this is trade Pau Gasol.
• The Los Angeles Lakers need perimeter athletes, depth, and 3 point shooting.  The Lakers could fill these needs by trading Pau Gasol.
• While I would not completely rule out a trade of Pau Gasol to the Western Conference, I assume that the Los Angeles Lakers would prefer to trade him to the Eastern Conference.
• Most likely, the team that would want to trade for Pau Gasol, would want to be in position either this year or next year to compete for an NBA title.  The Los Lakers probably do not want to increase their competition in their own conference.
• The Los Angeles Lakers could trade Pau Gasol to the Atlanta Hawks for Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and Jeff Teague.  The Lakers would get much improved athleticism and depth with this trade.  Marvin Williams and Jeff Teague have been shooting the 3 point shot well this year.  Next year, the Atlanta Hawks would have Al Hortford, Pau Gasol, and Joe Johnson to compete for an NBA Championship.  They could bring back Kurt Heinrich as their point guard.
• The Los Angeles Lakers could trade Pau Gasol to the Boston Celtics for Rajon Rando, Jermaine O’Neal, and Mickael Pietrus.  Rando and O’Neal for Gasol is already a rumor that’s out there.  This trade would give the Los Angeles Lakes greater perimeter athletes with Rando and Pietrus and an adequate replacement for Gasol.  The Lakers depth would increase by moving their current starters to the bench.  It would not help the Lakers much in the area of 3 point shooting.  Next year, the Boston Celtics would have Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, and cap space to build around and compete for an NBA Title.
• The Los Angeles Lakers could trade Pau Gasol to the Milwaukee Bucks for Brandon Jennings, Stephen Jackson, and Drew Gooden.  This trade would give the Lakers better perimeter athletes and a decent replacement for Pau Gasol.  By moving their starters to the bench, the Lakers depth increases.  The trade would not really help the Lakers with their 3 point shooting.  Next year, the Milwaukee Bucks would have a front court of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bogut to build around.
• The Los Angeles Lakers could trade Pau Gasol to the Orlando Magic for Jameer Nelson, JJ Redick, Quentin Richardson, and Ryan Anderson.  With Jameer Nelson and Quentin Richardson, the Lakers have better perimeter athletes.  With JJ Redick and Ryan Anderson, the Los Angeles Lakers would have two of the League’s better 3 point shooters and the trade would greatly increase the Lakers’ depth.   The Orlando Magic would have Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard to build around.  If they amnesty Hedo Turkoglu and maybe are able to dump some other contracts for expiring contracts, the Orlando Magic could bring in Deron Williams and compete for an NBA Championship.
• The Los Angeles Lakers could trade Pau Gasol to the Philadelphia 76ers for Andre Iguodala, True Holiday, and Lavoy Allen.  Andre Iguodala and True Holiday would greatly increase the Los Angeles Lakers’ perimeter athletes.  Lavoy Allen has shown he can compete at the NBA level and the Lakers would fill their Power Forward and back-up Center positions by committee.  Iguodala and Holiday have been decent 3 point shooters this year and by moving starters to the bench, the Lakers would improve their bench.  Next year, the Philadelphia 76ers would greatly increase their size and inside presence with a front court of Pau Gasol and Spencer Hawes.  Lou Williams would be their go to perimeter scorer.  Evan Turner would take over for Andre Iguodala and be the Sixers do everything type of player.  The 76ers could amnesty Elton Brand and bring in a point guard.  After this trade, the 76ers team would have a chance of being able to compete for an NBA Title.
• Although I like all of these trades from both the Los Angeles Lakers and the other teams’ perspectives, I think the Orlando Magic trade makes the most sense.  The Los Angeles Lakers would improve all their areas of weakness after the trade.  And if the Orlando Magic could bring in Deron Williams next year, the Magic would be set to make a title run.