Transaction Please

In the blink of an eye it seemed that Pau Gasol went from a Grizzlie to a Laker. Blink again and Shaq will be gone to Phoenix. What do these trades mean? For the Lakers it means Kobe's staying even though Bynum isn't playing. It also means they become an automatic title contender. For the Grizzlies the story is not so sweet. With Pau gone, this cleared space for a possible sell of the franchise. Sure they get Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, and the rights to Pau Gasol's little brother, Marc Gasol. But these players are less than all stars and the trade looked to be one sided. Even now the Grizz continues to clear space. Memphis traded Stromile Swift for Nets Jason Collins (again one sided). Also, the Grizz just let Damon Stoudamire go with no exchange or trade.
The other huge transaction rumor is that the Diesel is leaving on a mid night plane to Arizona. In return, the Heat will gain Marcus Banks and thought to be forever in the Sun Shaun Marion. O’Neal will add a defensive presence to the non defensive Phoenix Suns. Wow is all that can be said at this point. Pau getting it done as a Laker, his brother Marc coming back to Memphis (or going to Oklahoma), and Shaq playing with Steve Nash in the regular season is all nothing short of amazing.