NBA Draft 2016: Every team’s most underrated pick ever
By Brad Rowland
Los Angeles Lakers: Marc Gasol, No. 48 pick, 2007 NBA Draft
When Pau Gasol was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Los Angeles Lakers, everyone shouted about the lopsided nature of the trade. After all, the NBA (read: David Stern) had famously voided a deal that would have landed Chris Paul with the Lakers, and Los Angeles then “fleeced” the Grizzlies out of their best player with a package that was thoroughly underwhelming.
Immersed in that package was a “throw-in” in the form of Pau’s younger brother, Marc, and that worked out pretty darn well for the Grizzlies. Still, it was the Lakers that invested a draft choice in Marc Gasol, and they should be credited, at least partially, for that pick.
The 7-foot center has earned two All-Star bids and an NBA Defensive Player of the Year award over eight seasons in Memphis, and Gasol is one of the best players at his position in the league today. His career averages of 14.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game aren’t as spectacular as you may think, but Gasol’s picture-perfect defense has allowed Memphis freedom to explore many other avenues of the game, and his value is unquestioned to that organization.
The Lakers didn’t reap the benefits, but in a world where the organization has many high-profile picks that should be praised, Marc Gasol is never mentioned.
Next: Memphis Grizzlies