When the Lakers were trying to deal for Jason Kidd last season, New Jersey was intent on landing either Lamar Odom or Andrew Bynum. Most Lakers fans assumed any deal to land a big name would include one or the other, as they represented Los Angeles’ two greatest assets next to Kobe Bryant.

That’s what makes today’s acquisition of Pau Gasol such a steal for the Lakers. If Bynum is able to return healthy by April, the Lakers can head into the postseason with a starting five of Bynum, Gasol, Odom, Bryant and Derek Fisher. There’s no weak link to be found. Plus they have a deep, young bench.

What did the Lakers give up in the deal?

• Kwame Brown. I understand why Memphis took him for his huge expiring contract, but let’s face it. He had to go. After he was booed at home against Phoenix, there was no chance Brown was going to be a vital piece of a Lakers championship team.

• Javaris Crittenton. A lot of potential here, but definitely more expendable than Farmar, who has really shown flashes of becoming their point guard of the future.

• Two first round draft picks. Never easy to part with first rounders, but the Lakers have to expect these will be picks in the upper 20s.

• The rights to Aaron McKie and Marc Gasol, Pau’s brother.

I’ll admit it. I was clamoring for the Lakers to trade Bynum last season to acquire Kidd. And I was upset when they didn’t. But Bynum has had a breakout season, and now I’d much rather have Gasol than Kidd.

I like the combination of Fisher and Farmar at the point guard position. While neither is as talented all around as Kidd, both are better shooters than he is, which is important when teams are double-teaming Kobe.

Mitch Kupchak took a lot of heat for trading Shaquille O’Neal, and perhaps rightfully so since Miami went on to win the NBA title, but if his succession of moves—bringing in Odom as part of the Shaq deal, holding onto Bynum rather than acquiring Kidd, and now trading for Gasol—result in a championship for the Lakers, he deserves more just this heartfelt apology. Congratulations Mitch Kupchak on officially restoring the Lakers as a Western Conference power, or should I say Pau-er.