Lakers Rumors: Trading Pau Gasol Is LA's Best Option After Season of Drama

Pau Gasol has endured a roller coaster of emotions since the lockout ended and has seemingly become a scapegoat for the team's struggles, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers no other viable option other than to trade him before the deadline.

Sam Smith of NBA.com provided an update on Gasol's status:

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The deal that’s been most speculated is Gasol for Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry. The Rockets are said to be high on Goran Dragic and Jonny Flynn to replace Lowry, and the Lakers desperately need a point guard under Mike Brown’s system. This is a deal, denied for now, that benefits both teams and seems likely to be made.

Chances of Gasol being dealt: 75 percent

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It can't be easy for a player to deal with the endless trade, but Gasol is still averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds this season. That's always solid production, but especially so when you consider the emergence of Andrew Bynum to take away some of his touches.

While the Lakers would like to maintain their advantage in the paint, they aren't going to be contenders unless the backcourt play improves alongside Kobe Bryant. Guys like Derek Fisher and Steve Blake just aren't going to cut it against the conference's elite teams.

So that means Los Angeles will need to sacrifice either Gasol or Bynum to upgrade at the point guard spot, and according to Smith it sounds like Gasol is more likely to be moved.

Since few teams have two dominant post players, the Lakers shouldn't be overly concerned about losing one of theirs. If the proposed trade of Scola and Lowry comes to fruition, that would obviously lessen the blow quite a bit.

Scola is a slightly lesser version of Gasol, but plays a similar style and would be able to hold his own next to Bynum by stretching the floor. Lowry would be a major upgrade at the point, which is the most important factor as the deadline approaches.

It's a deal that would fill the Lakers' biggest need with a player averaging 16 points and eight assists, while allowing Gasol to get a fresh start away from the bright lights of L.A.

Something needs to give before the deadline to revitalize the Lakers before it's too late. They can't stick with the way things are right now and pray it suddenly starts working.

Mitch Kupchak understands that, so the ball is in his court and the shot clock is winding down.