Lakers Trade Rumors: LA GM Keeps Pau Gasol Dangling as Trade Bait
Pau Gasol still doesnโt know if he is going to be traded at the March 15th NBA trade deadline. Even after speaking with Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, Gasol doesnโt have a clear picture as to what is going to happen to him.
According to ESPNLosAngeles.com, Kupchak spoke with Gasol to get an understanding as to what might happen to the All-Star Laker, saying:
""I have an understanding of where things are," Gasol said after the Lakers' shootaround in Detroit on Tuesday, "where they stand and where he stands and where I stand. He [Kupchak] told me to just keep doing what you do, keep playing hard and playing on and from that point on, we'll see."
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This was the first time that Kupchak spoke with Gasol since Pau was involved in a potential deal that would give the Lakers point guard Chris Paul while sending Gasol to the Houston Rockets. When the deal fell through, the threat of being traded lurked over Gasolโs head, which prompted teammate Kobe Bryant to lash out at Lakersโ management. Bryant said:
"Listen, heโs been the consummate professional. Heโs going out and heโs trying to do what he can. But letโs be real, if you didnโt know you were going to be here tomorrow, if your headโs on the chopping block and you feel like youโre just waiting, itโs tough to put all yourself in the game.
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The Lakers are not doing any justice to Gasol by leaving him hanging out there in trade rumors. Heโs in the midst of his worst points-per-game average of his 12-year career, only averaging 16.8 points per game.ย
In Gasol and Kupchakโs recent meeting, Pau did say that the meeting was โcalming to have that feedback.โ However, Gasol then went on to say that if there was a serious offer that came to the Lakers' front office for the Lakers to โjust let me know.โ
However, if the Lakers would come out and say they are not trading the talented forward, maybe his numbers would go back to what the Lakers are used to at 18 points per game. Instead, the Lakers are only hurting themselves for the next five games as the trade deadline approaches.ย
