Lakers Trade Rumors: Dealing Pau Gasol to Minnesota Wouldn't Make Sense

It seems inevitable that the Los Angeles Lakers will make a trade before the NBA's March 15 trade deadline comes and goes. It's almost as if there's a countdown.

As they all are, the latest rumor that dropped on Thursday was a juicy one. Chris Tomasson of FOXSports.com reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves would like to make a deal with the Lakers, specifically for Pau Gasol:

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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. 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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A deal like this would open up some intriguing possibilities in Minnesota. Gasol could play the five next to Kevin Love, and his production would no doubt spike playing alongside Ricky Rubio. Indeed, Tomasson's sources tell him that the 'Wolves think Gasol would find the idea of playing next to Rubio to be "enticing."

However, a deal for Williams and draft picks wouldn't make much sense for the Lakers. That's not a win-now trade for the Lakers. That's a rebuilding trade.

Williams is undeniably talented, but he's a project. It needs to be determined whether he's a small forward or a power forward, yet the position that makes the most sense for him is small forward. If he can't play like a small forward, he'll forever be a tweener with a limited ceiling.

Regardless, this Lakers team should have no interest whatsoever in doing any on-the-job training. That will come after Kobe Bryant is gone and this team is in full-on rebuilding mode. As long as Kobe is still ticking, the Lakers should be in win-now mode all the times.

To this end, the 'Wolves do have some players who could help the Lakers—Michael Beasley comes to mind, for example. But if the Lakers were to trade Gasol for Beasley or anyone else not named Love or Rubio, they would be fools. The Lakers can do better.

And besides, Mitch Kupchak has made it clear that his priority is finding a stud point guard. He told Lakers.com earlier this month he would love to get a "25-year-old, All-Star, ball-handling guard." Since there aren't any of those readily available, he's been forced to look elsewhere. The Lakers have been rumored to be shopping for guards.

To be sure, the Lakers could use some help at small forward. But if they solidify their backcourt, they'll be able to live with their weakness at small forward. As long as they have strength at power forward and center, that is. That's something the Lakers have right now, and they should only give it up if they know they're going to be able to win after the deed is done.