The rumor around town is that the Lakers are actively looking to trade Pau Gasol to the Knicks for Amare Stoudemire

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: This isn’t much of a win for either team, but edge goes to Knicks.

This isn’t the first time Pau Gasol has been at the center of trade rumors in Los Angeles. The Big Llama has known his time in LA is questionable at best for over a year now. First, it was Gasol leaving LA as part of the trade that was going to bring Chris Paul to the Lakers, but that got vetoed by David Stern. Next, it was the non-stop trade rumors throughout the off-season reportedly due to his soft play in the playoffs last season. This time it is a trade between the Laker big man and the New York Knicks’ power forward Amare Stoudemire.

Gasol is set to earn $38.3 million over the next 2 seasons, an amount far ahead of his current production. Yet, Stoudemire will be earning $60 million over the next 3 years which is also far ahead of his current ability to produce on the court. Whoever ends up with Stoudemire would have more money on the table, but both teams would be only debatably improved. The question is which aging big man is worth it. Both are having significant injury issues this season and having trouble fitting in with their respected offenses.

The Knicks are statistically better when Stoudemire is out of the game. New York has a record of 23-9 when Stoudemire doesn’t play and a record of 23-29 when he is in the game. It is easy to see how New York would be motivated to find a player that fits with Carmelo Anthony better than Stoudemire. No matter what you think of Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks win more games when the offense flows through him.

It would appear this trade would benefit the Knicks more than the Lakers, but LA may be desperate enough to throw more money at a season going down the drain. Unfortunately, acquiring Stoudemire will do little to help the Lakers win and simply add another big name and up-tempo style player not built to how Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant play ball.

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