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With Kobe Bryant and a large contingent of the Lakers' fan base questioning Mitch Kupchak's front-office skills, this deal suddenly validated his presence. With the public clamoring for change, this deal finally settled the uneasiness. And with the Lakers looking to return to the championship level, this deal gave them that missing piece.
The Lakers on Feb. 1, 2008, acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal that produced varying reactions. Bryant said he remembered shouting "yes" to himself in excitement. Then-Lakers Coach Phil Jackson acknowledged skepticism that such a trade could happen because the deal involved the Lakers giving up Kwame Brown, Aaron McKie, Javaris Crittenton, two first-round picks and the rights to Marc Gasol, whom the Lakers had drafted with a second-round pick in 2007. And San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich argued that the NBA should set up a panel to prevent such trades from happening. [ Full Story Click here ]
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