Los Angeles Lakers: The Impact Of An Andrew Bynum-Pau Gasol Swap

How It Could Happen:

Here’s a hint: Bynum won’t be a Laker for long. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Lakers are understandably reluctant to part with Gasol since he’s helped bring two titles to Los Angeles, not to mention that he’s Kobe’s boy and the front office lives in perpetual fear of pissing off the Black Mamba. That being said, trading Gasol for Bynum and then waiving the disgruntled center would save the Lakers around $20 million in salary and luxury taxes. The Lakers want to avoid the repeater tax penalty that would kick in next season if LA went over the luxury tax this year (which they currently are) and next year.

By getting rid of the injury-riddled Gasol, the Lakers would avoid going over the luxury tax for the first time in the last six seasons and they’d have some flexibility with their cap room heading into free agency this summer. So unfortunately for the five or six Lakers fans out there who were excited about Bynum’s potential return to Los Angeles, don’t get your hopes up. This deal has nothing to do with bringing back Bynum, who is only averaging 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game this season anyway.