Lakers Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz as Rumors Engulf the Lake Show

The closer we get to the trade deadline, the more the rumors heat up with the Lakers. As of now, the biggest rumors—and the only chance at a major move—involve Pau Gasol going somewhere, anywhere or everywhere. 

The latest rumor involves Derrick Rose reportedly telling management he wants to play with Pau Gasol. Allegedly, this is what he told the Spanish media. 

Yesterday, during the Bulls pregame on CSN Chicago, Neil Funk quoted Gar Foreman as saying these rumors were "completely made up." There are several reasons that this sounds that way to me. 

First and foremost, there is not a single plausible reason to me that Rose, who doesn't even speak Spanish, would be talking to the Spanish media about anything, much less telling them what he said to the front office. 

Second, this is a player who has always been reluctant to do much to even recruit players for his team. Not because he's arrogant, but because he's reluctant to get involved in front office decisions. 

Third, the actual trade makes little sense for either team. The Lakers aren't going to move Gasol and not get an elite point guard back. While CJ Watson is a nice point guard and better than anything the Lakers have on their roster, he's not elite. 

It doesn't make sense for the Bulls because Pau Gasol isn't that big of an upgrade over Carlos Boozer. Gasol has a Player Efficiency Rating of 20.9. Boozer's is 20.6.

Additionally, it resolves nothing. Gasol is not an elite defensive power forward himself and also tends to disappear. In other words: same problems, different player. 

The Bulls rumor is bogus. 

The next rumor that has come up recently is the idea of Gasol going to the Timberwolves for Michael Beasley or Derrick Williams. Allegedly, the intrigue here is pairing up Gasol with fellow-Spaniard, Ricky Rubio.

This rumor doesn't work financially. The contracts don't even come close to matching up and there's no logical reason for either the T-Wolves or the Lakers to do it. It's not like the 'Wolves, who between Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic have an outstanding frontcourt already, have any need for Gasol or would want to trade for him. 

On top of that, it is not reasonable to trade young talent for old talent, particularly when that old talent isn't filling a need and makes $19 million. 

The Timberwolves rumor is bogus as well. 

Roland Lazenby probably tweets the most realistic perspective on Gasol. 

Here are the realities around Gasol. He's 31. He makes about $19 million a year for the next three years. His numbers are in decline. 

In order to move him, another team is going to have give back two players. Lakers fans are hoping for two young, future stars to complement Kobe Bryant in his waning years. Other teams aren't clamoring to do that, though. Other teams aren't looking to get worse so the Lakers can get better. 

If the Lakers are able to move the contract, Lakers fans aren't going to be pleased with the result. They are far better off making a minor move, such as acquiring Ramon Sessions or a just upgrading to a serviceable point guard.