Lakers Rumors: LA Making Right Move in Keeping Pau Gasol

Through the madness of the NBA trade deadline, the Lakers are coming to their senses, at least as it relates to Pau Gasol. According to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers aren't planning on moving the veteran big man. 

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As of Friday, though, the Lakers weren't expecting to move Gasol before Thursday's trade deadline, according to a person familiar with the situation. They've wanted a young star in return and haven't heard anything to their liking.

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While it seems as though there is a different Gasol rumor every hour, this is a stance that the Lakers need to be consistent with. 

Realistically, Gasol for a young star won't happen for the Lakers. Teams don't trade young stars for old ones. That would defy logic. Gasol is a young star in his own right, so the Lakers are making the right moves in not gambling on a trade with him. 

Gasol is a fantastic player. He will never have to apologize to anyone for his career numbers.

	MPG	PPG	RPG	BPG
2011-2012	37.1	16.7	10.5	1.4
Career	36.0	18.7	9.2	1.7

But more than the numbers, this is a guy who's been an integral part of two NBA champions. Based on the current situation that the Lakers are in, moving Gasol for a player who's anything but a star would be idiotic. 

The Lakers are an old team. Kobe Bryant doesn't have a lot of great years left. So, as long as the Lakers are depending on him as the primary player, they can't even think about starting a rebuilding project, or trading players like Gasol for ones who aren't stars. 

No, if the Lakers are going to move a productive player in Gasol, it needs to be for someone who can help them win a championship this year. 

Keeping Gasol gives opponents of the Lakers a real matchup headache. He's a 7-footer with range, and that's not something many teams boast. 

The fact of the matter is that the trade isn't out there that would definitely make the Lakers better this season. If there was a deal like that, it would have happened already. 

Gasol fits the Lakers' need to win immediately. Los Angeles realistically will not be able to bring in a player that gives them a better chance at winning this season. Keeping Gasol is an obvious move and Lakers fans should be encouraged that they're headed down that road. 

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