Lakers Trade Rumors: LA Would Be Foolish to Deal Pau Gasol to Timberwolves

No Kobe Bryant-team should ever press reset.

Currently, the Los Angeles Lakers don’t look like a legitimate championship contender, but that doesn’t mean their front office should blow up the core.  Yes, LA must make a move, but any trade other than the perfect one will result in an utter disaster.

Fox Sports’ Chris Tomasson reported that, according to sources, the Minnesota Timberwolves are dangling Derrick Williams to the Lakers as bait to reel in Pau Gasol.  Looking into the future, the swap doesn’t look too shabby.  Los Angeles would receive a 20-year old future stud for a 31-year old declining veteran.

But that future only looks bright if you ignore the catastrophe that would be the instant aftermath of such a deal.

ESPN’s Brian Kamentzky reported that Gasol is, in fact, hearing his name being thrown around in trade talks, as the Spaniard said:

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"There's talks and rumors every day.  Today I was reading it was Minnesota is really interested in trying to put a good package together. [Other teams are] calling, and it seems like things are just waiting for the right offer to come along, for [the Lakers] to pull the trigger.”

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Pau isn’t exactly known for being mentally tough.  Rumors of relationship issues were linked to his poor play in the postseason last year.  After being dealt to the Houston Rockets, then sent back to Hollywood and with his home still up in the air, Gasol is understandably distraught.

And Kobe doesn’t like when the star that helped the Lakers win back-to-back titles is distraught.

The Los Angeles Times’ Mark Medina reported that Bryant sees Pau’s pain and isn’t a fan of the rumors, saying:

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“Personally I don't understand that crap.  But it is what it is.  It's important for him to know we support him.  I support him especially.  I just want him to go out there and play hard and do what he does best for us.”

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It isn’t wise to anger the Black Mamba.

By swapping Gasol for Williams, Los Angeles’ front office would be sending a single message: we are committed to winning in the future.  The 33-year old Bryant isn’t interested in the future.  Now is the only word in his winning vocabulary.

If the Lakers deal Pau to the T-Wolves, they might as well ship Kobe out too because you can’t build your roster for the future and win now at the same time; just ask Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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