Lakers trade Kwame Brown for Grizzlies' Gasol

By Mike Bresnahan, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer 11:56 AM PST, February 1, 2008
The Lakers have acquired forward-center Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies for center Kwame Brown, guard Javaris Crittenton and a series of draft picks between the two teams, The Times has learned.Gasol, 27, is averaging 18.9 points and 8.8 rebounds this season for the Grizzlies. He has expressed discontent in the past year with the Grizzlies (13-33) who have not been in playoffs since 2006 and have never won a playoff game since he was drafted in 2001.He was the NBA's rookie of the year in 2001-02 and made the All-Star team in 2006. Gasol has three more years and an estimated $49 million on his contract. Brown's $9.1-million conract expires after this seasoon and Crittenton is a rookie.Gasol would fill in at center until Andrew Bynum returns from a knee injury sometime in March. Gasol could then slide over to power forward when Bynum returns.