In March, another number will rise to the rafters in Los Angeles as the Lakers retire Pau Gasol’s No. 16.
The two-time NBA champion, who won both of those titles in L.A., played 18 seasons in the league — 6 1/2 with the Lakers. He earned three of his All-NBA nods (four total) and three All-Star honors (six total) during his time in L.A., providing a crucial complement to Kobe Bryant on the back-to-back championship teams of 2009-10; they made The Finals in 2008 as well, losing to the Celtics in six games.
As a Laker, Gasol averaged 17.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 blocks while shooting 52.2% in 35.7 minutes across 429 games. They acquired him from Memphis on Feb. 1, 2008, along with a second-round pick, for four players — notably including brother Marc, who became a foundational piece for the Grizzlies — and two first-round picks. Gasol had won the 2001-02 Rookie of the Year award with Memphis, making his first All-Star team in 2006.
