TORONTO -- The Los Angeles Lakers bolstered their banged-up

frontline Friday with a key acquisition -- 7-footer Pau Gasol of the

Memphis Grizzlies.

"It shows a great deal of commitment from the organization,"

All-Star Kobe Bryant said before the Lakers' game at Toronto.

"It's a great step.

"It's a matter of us just gelling now and putting it

together," added Bryant, who urged management to improve the team

over the summer. "We've got a great bench. We have a lot of

length, a lot of versatility. Now it's time to walk the walk."

The Lakers gave up Kwame Brown, rookie Javaris Crittenton and

two first-round draft picks for Gasol. The Spaniard is certain to

help a Lakers team reeling from recent injuries to inside players,

including blossoming center Andrew Bynum.

"We need a little scoring inside without Andrew Bynum," coach

Phil Jackson said. "It gives us a post-up threat right now, and

he's a good passer. We like that."

Jackson said Gasol could make his debut when the Lakers visit

Washington on Sunday.

"We'd like him to play on Sunday," Jackson said. "I don't

know if that's possible or not. He's got to go back to L.A. and

have a physical tomorrow."

Gasol, averaging 18.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.44

blocked shots in 39 games this season, can fill in at center until

Bynum returns in mid-March, then move to power forward.

"He's a great player," forward Lamar Odom said. "With him and

Andrew down there, I'm really excited to see how that works out.

We'll protect the basket a little bit more. I'm looking forward to

seeing those guys playing together."

The Grizzlies will get the Lakers' first-round draft choices in

2008 and 2010; guard Aaron McKie, signed earlier Friday for salary

cap purposes; cash considerations, and the rights to Gasol's

brother Marc, a 2007 second-round pick of Los Angeles.

"That's something you haven't seen before," Jackson said with

a chuckle.

The Lakers also receive the Grizzlies' second-round pick in

2010.

Gasol, the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2002 and an All-Star four

years later, has averaged 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists

in 476 career games with Memphis. The 27-year-old forward-center,

under contract for three more years, is the franchise leader in 12

statistical categories, including points, rebounds and blocks.