NBA Rumors: Pau Gasol and Frustrated Players Ready to Explode

There are rumors being spread about some star players being unhappy with their current situations, whether they are "accepting" them or or thinking of leaving. 

You would think that it would be hard to be unhappy making the kind of money these guys make, but as David Lee Roth once said, "Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it.”

Here are five guys that need to look into getting a yacht. 

Eric Gordon

Eric Gordon and the New Orleans Hornets were unable to reach an agreement for a four-year extension. The team is saying this much:

"

 "We made good faith and amicable efforts to reach an agreement on a contract extension over the past few days," said Hornets General Manager Dell Demps.

"Unfortunately, although close, we did not reach an agreement. Eric will be a restricted free agent this summer and we are optimistic and encouraged with the opportunity to sign Eric to a contract that will make him a member of the Hornets organization and community for years to come."

"

What that means is that Gordon wanted more than they wanted to give them. Apparently, Gordon wanted Russell Westbrook money, but he's not a Westbrook-type of player. Still, when a player thinks he's worth more than the team does, he's going to be stewing. 

Deron Williams

Deron Williams never asked to be traded. In fact, reports are that he learned of his trade to New Jersey while he was working out and watching ESPN. I'm just saying, he's not in one of those "he made his bed, let him lie in it" situations.

He's in a "someone moved his bed to New Jersey while he was sleeping" situation. He's not all that pleased with it either. 

It's obvious he's frustrated, even by his sarcastic "I love it" new mantra. It's shown in his visible frustration on the court. He wants to be a winner, and the reality is that he doesn't have winning talent around him. 

According to ESPN:

"

Deron Williams' first choice is to stay with the Nets and to build something special in Brooklyn, but if it doesn't work out with his current team, his short list of desirable destinations includes the Mavericks, the Knicks and the Lakers, according to sources close to the situation. 

"

If they keep losing and not getting Dwight Howard, look for Williams' frustration to build. 

Pau Gasol

Why is Pau Gasol yelling? Is it because he's about to get his shot blocked? No! He's yelling with joy because he finally got to take a shot. According to ESPN's J.A. Adande,  after the Pacers game Gasol said:

"

I would like to get a little more inside, myself. I always like to have different looks and be able to attack from different angles. The second half I didn't have one chance to attack from the post, so I was more of a facilitator. I got two jumpers, open, that I missed, and that was all the opportunities that I had.

"

I'm not sure how much this is in Gasol's head. His field-goal attempts are down .8 per game, but his scoring is down 2.6 points per game. Clearly, it's not just the attempts that are a problem. Still, if he's blaming it on someone else (we won't mention any names here), it's only a matter of time before he blows up. 

Kevin Love

Kevin Love might be loved by the Minnesota fans, but apparently, he doesn't get the same love from the ownership and David Kahn, who are holding their "designated player" status for Ricky Rubio. As a result, Love "only" got a four-year, max contract for $61 million. 

Poor Kevin. Well, not that poor. The Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting:

"

But professional sports has absolutely nothing to do with the real world, and those who know Love well insist the Wolves' stance angered him, although not enough to keep him from accepting an offer that will set him and his family up for life far beyond the multi-million dollar rookie contract he signed in 2008.

"

Love is stewing. 

Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard has never been one known to have anger management under control. He asked to be traded before the season, but while he hasn't recanted, he's not pushing for it, as the team has been playing well.

After the performances his team had against Boston this week, first scoring only 56 one night and then blowing a 27-point lead on their "revenge" night, Howard had some criticism for his teammates:

"

Everybody just can’t come down (the floor) and feel like they have to take the game over. You just have to play team-ball and play the way we want to play. We didn’t do that.

"

To be fair, he is saying "we" and not "they," but how many of these kinds of losses can he take before he blows his lid?