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11:39 AM ET 12.16 | There's no need to wait for Pau Gasol and Steve Nash to play together again to assess whether keeping Gasol is the right move for the Lakers. Weren't you paying attention in October? The solution is simple, if painful. Thank the benevolent Gasol for his role in helping the Lakers win a pair of NBA titles and ship him off in exchange for a player (or three) who could take part in raising banner No. 17. Here are five proposed Gasol trades, including salaries from this season, that could improve the Lakers while offering opposing teams reasonably equitable value: 1) Gasol ($19 million) for New York forward Amare Stoudemire ($19.9 million). 2) Gasol and Chris Duhon ($3.5 million) for Atlanta power forward Josh Smith ($13.2 million) and point guard Devin Harris ($8.5 million). 3) Gasol and point guard Darius Morris ($962,000) for Indiana power forwards David West ($10 million) and Jeff Pendergraph ($1.5 million) and point guard D.J. Augustin ($3.5 million). 4) Gasol for Minnesota small forward Andrei Kirilenko ($9.7 million) and power forward Derrick Williams ($4.8 million). 5) Gasol for Toronto point guard Jose Calderon ($10.5 million), power forward Amir Johnson ($6 million) and a first-round draft pick.

Pau Gasol, Harry How/Getty Images

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December 16, 2012 12:24 PM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 12:05 PM ET 12.16 by It Wasn't Me

Trade scenarios #2 and #3 make the most sense but that requires the other team to be in play. I mentioned the other day that they could do a 3 or 4 team trade that would bring them Varajao.

Htf does #2 make ANY sense?? Are you crazy?
Give up Josh Smith and Harris for an old overpaid immobile PF and a PG that can't handle the ball?
Honestly, what do you guys really smoke?

ESPN

Atlanta , GA

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December 16, 2012 12:29 PM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 11:46 AM ET 12.16 by MMAFan

I just want to go on record and say that they need to keep Gasol. He's still a top PF and he will make a big difference with his interior passing game.

Pau's knees were hurting early on but when they are healthy I think he will be a big factor. D'Antoni just needs to use him better.

At least put off any trades until the All-Star break. Give the Laker Big-4 a chance to play together before trading anyone.

I absolutely agree with your comment. However, if we're dumb enough to trade Pau (especially this early), I don't see why we'd consider a straight up swap for Amare.

If I were the one to pick of these five, it would be with Atlanta for Smith and Harris. But I don't see why Atlanta would do it at this point...

Eli...

Chicagoland, .

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December 16, 2012 12:32 PM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 12:24 PM ET 12.16 by ESPN

Htf does #2 make ANY sense?? Are you crazy?
Give up Josh Smith and Harris for an old overpaid immobile PF and a PG that can't handle the ball?
Honestly, what do you guys really smoke?

My comment (#10) had a similar scenario and outcome as yours...

But nowhere near as funny!