Lakers Rumors: Why Pau Gasol Desperately Needs Trade from Lakers to Wolves

Pau Gasol's approval level has dipped in Los Angeles, so if this report from Chris Tomasson of FoxSports is true, we could see Gasol flourish in Minnesota:

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Minnesota continues to pursue a possible trade for Lakers forward Pau Gasol, dangling rookie Derrick Williams, who is from the Los Angeles area, and draft choices. The only players considered untouchable by the Timberwolves, who are seeking to add a veteran by the trade deadline, are Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio. 

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This conversation between Gasol, Rubio and a late-arriving Kobe Bryant shows the strong connection Rubio and Gasol have. Rubio engages Bryant in some trash-talk about the 2012 Olympics. He promises Bryant he will get the silver medal:

Gasol doesn't respond, but I believe he'd obviously like nothing more than to deliver the gold for Spain, but he'd also like to join Rubio and rub it in the face of Kobe and critical Lakers' fans.

The Lakers are a better team than the Timberwolves at this point, but I would argue that may not be the case if the Wolves land Gasol.

Gasol would be playing with friend and countryman Rubio. This is something that will bring energy and comfortability to his game.

While the production has been there, Gasol doesn't look comfortable. He is averaging 16.8 points and 10.6 rebounds, but he doesn't look at ease.

The team is inconsistent (12-2 at home, 5-10 on the road), Kobe Bryant is sharing the ball less (24 field goal attempts per game, highest since Gasol's arrival) and despite his professional attitude, it has to sting a little that the team tried to ship him off to the Rockets.

All of those things could easily lead to a year where the game just isn't as fun.

Gasol looks different when he plays in international competitions with his native Spain. Teaming with Rubio would be the closest thing to that in the states.

Rubio is a pass-first PG, and generally, the entire T'Wolves roster is very unselfish. There are no ball dominators on that roster, and it's an environment that Gasol would likely fill more comfortable in.

Also, Gasol could move from under Kobe's shadow. Bryant's talent and demanding nature is what makes him one of the greatest players in league history, but it also shrinks Gasol.

Because their approaches are so different, when the Lakers fail, it's often Gasol who gets the blame. 

You may recall these tweets from Snoop Dogg (Disclaimer, explicit language used in Snoop's tweets):

This Facebook page entitled "I Hate Pau Gasol" proves Snoop isn't the only one with ill feelings toward him.

It's even more apparent in this, a very tough year for the Lakers, as they have become accustomed to winning at a more consistent clip.,

Gasol would benefit from a change of scenery, one without such a dominant figure present.

Without Kobe, Gasol wouldn't have two rings, but Kobe and the Lakers didn't make Gasol an elite big man. He was that before he got to LA.

In his six years before he got to LA, he averaged 18.8 points per game, the only statistic that has risen significantly is his rebounding. At 31, Gasol is far from washed up.

The Lakers' past plans to add Chris Paul and seemingly obvious interest pin Dwight Howard would suggest that Gasol is not a part of their long term plans.

Gasol and the Lakers have had great times together, but now the best thing for Gasol is a trade that will allow him to enjoy the game again.