Memphis Grizzlies
Marc Gasol, Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie and two first-round picks for Pau Gasol and a second-round pick to LAL (2008)
When the Lakers traded for Pau Gasol midway through the 2007-08 season, most fans and pundits viewed the move as a big win for Los Angeles. After all, L.A. was getting Kobe Bryant the complimentary star he desperately needed and all they needed to surrender were a few picks and also-rans like KWA-ME Brown and Aaron McKie.
Little did Memphis Grizzlies fans know, however, that another Gasol included in the deal would help shape a culture of hard-nosed, un-aesthetically pleasing basketball in Memphis. As part of the mid-season trade, the Lakers sent the rights to Pau’s younger brother Marc to the Grizzlies to garner Pau’s services.
It took a couple of seasons, but the junior Gasol showed that he was as deft ass his brother in the post, as a passer, and as a spot-up shooter. He was even better on defense, as his girth kept him from getting bullied on the block and his length forced anyone who dared to challenge him at the rim into contortions.
With Gasol anchoring the post, the Grizzlies ranked no worse than ninth in defensive rating between 2010 and 2015. Thanks to him and guys like Mike Conley and Zach Randolph, the team made the postseason seven straight times — a franchise record — plateauing with a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2013.