Report: Marc Gasol signs with Los Angeles Lakers to play with LeBron, taking starting role from JaVale McGee

The Los Angeles Lakers have strengthened their squad considerably by signing Marc Gasol. A free agent over this offseason, Gasol was courted by former team Raptors, among others, but ultimately decided to join the reigning NBA champions. This signing makes Pau and Marc the first pair of brothers to play for the Lakers.

Marc Gasol is finalizing a deal to sign with the Lakers, sources tell me and @ZachLowe_NBA.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 23, 2020

Gasol was an integral part of the Raptors squad that won the NBA championship in 2019. He provided them the requisite paint protection against the likes of Giannis and Embiid that pulled them through the playoffs last year.

Although Gasol suffered a slump in production over the previous season, averaging career lows in scoring, that is not the role he’ll be playing for the Lakers. With Anthony Davis starting alongside him, and Montrezl Harrell providing a scoring boost from the bench, all the Lakers will need from him will be in the defense and rebounding department.

Marc Gasol’s history with the Los Angeles Lakers

Marc Gasol was initially drafted by the Lakers with the 48th pick in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft. He was stashed overseas for that season, before being traded to the Grizzlies in the trade that brought his brother Pau to LA.

Marc grew into a self-assured big man who could provide in bursts, while also taking on playmaking responsibilities. The Grizzlies announced they weren’t playing around when they knocked the San Antonio Spurs out in the first round of the 2011 NBA playoffs.

Marc Gasol was drafted by the Lakers, but had his rights traded to Memphis for his brother, Pau, before he ever played an NBA game. Now, he'll get a chance to help the Lakers win back-to-back titles. https://t.co/ztEI09NFl0

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 23, 2020

The Gasol brothers became the first to start the NBA All Star Game together in 2015. Marc notched up a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2012-13, while also netting 3 All Star Game selections and 2 All-NBA selections.

The Marc Gasol signing makes Los Angeles Lakers prohibitive favorites for 2021 NBA championship. His presence in the squad covers any shortcoming they had on the defensive end. Teams will now have to outshoot them for 4 games out of 7 in a playoff series – an exceedingly unlikely event.