Who is Jorge Garbajosa and what is the Lakers’ interest in him?
According to the Spanish website Marca.com, the Lakers have made an offer to the former Toronto Raptors forward.
The interest in Garbajosa, no doubt, is in response to Lakers forward Ronny Turiaf signing a four-year, $17 million offer sheet with the Golden State Warriors.
The Lakers received the papers Thursday and have a week to decide whether or not to match the offer, which would allow them to retain Turiaf, since he is a restricted free agent.
But just who is Garbajosa or Garbo, as he is more widely known?
Garbajosa, 30, is a seasoned veteran of European professional basketball. After first turning professional at the age of 17, he played his first seven years in the Spanish League, before playing four seasons in the Italian League.
Garbajosa only has played one season in the NBA. In 2006-2007, he appeared in 67 games with the Toronto Raptors and averaged 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds. He was selected to play in the Rookie Challenge game during the All-Star weekend in Las Vegas.
His game differs from Turiaf’s in that the 6-9, 245-pound Garbajosa is not as strong of a physical presence inside as Turiaf but is a more refined outside shooter.
Lakers center-forward Pau Gasol knows Garbo well. The two were linchpins on Spain’s national team that won the silver medal at the 2007 European championships.
Garbajosa played on Spain’s Olympic basketball team in 2000 and 2004 and is expected to suit up for Spain this summer for the Olympic Games in China.
