Lakers Rumors: Is L.A. Conflicted About Futures of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum?

ESPN’s Ric Bucher hosted his weekly online chat with SportsNation readers and had some extremely interesting rumors to report concerning Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and their futures with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Ross from West Hills wrote in:

"

“Ric,Any news about when Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss might arise from their coma-like sleep, and decide this Laker team is going nowhere fast? And maybe MAKE A DEAL?”

"

The insider responded with this juicy tidbit:

"

“Problem as I hear it is they are on slightly different pages. Mitch wants to hold onto Pau and see if they can package him with Bynum to get Dwight. Buss wants to move Pau now for help/depth and thereby also eliminate the chance that his pet project, Bynum, goes anywhere. That's the unofficial buzz.”

"

The Lakers’ brass must get on the same page in order to save this season and work on the future of the franchise.

This team is going nowhere now that Kobe Bryant is jacking up over 24 shots per game, new head coach Mike Brown has neutralized Gasol’s impact with his offensive system and the team is consistently flat on the glass when it needs rebounds most, despite being fourth in the league statistically.

If the Lakers want to get Dwight Howard, they’ll more than likely have to panic and flip both of their prized big men.

This is something GM Mitch Kupchak is in favor of in order to make a splash and go all in to win this season.

It clashes with the desires of the other front office executive.

Jim Buss, who led this team through a turbulent offseason, thinks the team should just move Gasol in order to add depth and possibly a major contributor at the PG or SF position.

Neither of these plans is ideal for the team, but they have reasons to be concerned after a 12-9 start to the season.

If they were to trade both Gasol and Bynum in exchange for Howard, it would bring hope of another championship to L.A., but realistically would not put them in position win.

DH12 is a great player and defender, but the team would be too thin at every position and lack talent everywhere besides shooting guard and center.

If the Lakers decide to go with Buss’ wishes, they will find the market for their 31-year-old Spanish PF isn’t exactly going to return them anyone who will push the team back into the NBA Finals.

They are better off keeping the roster as it is now, hoping they can figure out how to play better together during the remainder of the season and then making upgrades via free agency and trades during the offseason.

The Lakers simply can’t get better and can only screw things up further by trading one or both of their talented bigs during the season.