NBA Trade Rumors: Timberwolves Would Quickly Regret Trade for Lakers' Pau Gasol

The Minnesota Timberwolves are turning into one of the feel-good stories of the NBA, and management is about to flush it down the toilet.

FOX Sports Florida’s Chris Tomasson is reporting that the T-Wolves are interested in acquiring Pau Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers:

"

In other news involving NBA big men, a source said Wednesday that 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. 

"

I get the thought process.

Teaming up Gasol with another Spaniard in Ricky Rubio would be huge for both of them, and combine them with Kevin Love and you have a deadly threesome.

Yet Gasol would be forced to play the 5 and get used to guarding the other team’s biggest player. One of the underrated aspects of Andrew Bynum is his ability to defend the opposing big man and allow Gasol to focus his energy more towards the offensive end.

The biggest problem here is that the Lakers would never complete the deal with the way it’s currently constructed. Derrick Williams may have been the second selection in last June’s draft, but he is not there from a production standpoint (7.5 points, 43-percent shooting, 4.2 rebounds) at this juncture in his young career.

He certainly has star potential, but the Lakers don’t have time for him to develop. Kobe Bryant only has so much more mileage in his knees; waiting around while Williams learns how to read defenses and stop turning the ball over is not going to fly.

What’s the harm in the Wolves accepting the fate of their season this year (a run for the eighth seed in the playoffs, only to fade in the end) and going into the offseason with terrific chemistry and a building sense the organization is heading in the right direction?

Gasol may sneak them into the playoffs, but they aren't winning a series once they get there. 

The T-Wolves are Love’s team, and bringing in another star is not going to sit well with him. He already isn’t thrilled about getting low-balled with his contract negotiations. Now is not the time to be pissing off the best rebounder in the NBA, who just so happens to only be 23 years old.  

The Lakers are still in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes and potentially could make a move for Steve Nash. They have no reason to throw in the towel on the season by giving up Gasol.

Everybody loves a juicy rumor, but when it’s this far-fetched, the juice is dried out.