Lakers Trade Rumors: Shopping Pau Gasol While in Contention Is Pointless

The Los Angeles Lakers are tied with the Clippers atop the Pacific Division and currently one of the top-five playoff seeds in the Western Conference, yet they still seem set on shopping star forward Pau Gasol all the way up until the March 15 trade deadline.

There is no package of players that will make the Lakers better than they are right now, considering that it will cost them their second-best player in veteran Pau Gasol.

At 24-16, the Lakers are seven games back of the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and just two-and-a-half games back of the No. 2-seeded San Antonio Spurs. LA is also 17-2 at home this season, making them a favorite to advance in the postseason if they can snag one of the conference's top-four records. 

With Gasol, the Lakers are the best rebounding team in the league. LA brings in nearly 46 boards per night, 10.5 of which are thanks to Gasol. 

Gasol is shooting 50.7 percent from the field this season despite having his name mentioned in countless trade rumors. He's also averaging 16.7 PPG while playing the most minutes of any Laker not named Kobe Bryant.

"

"Anybody can start up rumors. They start up small and they come out big. I can't control certain things and I'm just going to continue to do my job as best as I can. The less I hear about it, the better, but March 15 is around the corner, so one way or another I'll be here or I'll be…who knows?" - Pau Gasol via the Los Angeles Times

"

Despite almost being traded to the Houston Rockets before the season even began for Chris Paul, Gasol has given his all to the Lakers' cause, and since made Lamar Odom look as unprofessional and sensitive as ever before. 

The supremely talented power forward belongs with the Lakers and is every bit the reason why they have won two of the past three NBA championships. The one-two punch that Gasol provides alongside the Black Mamba is one of the most unique in the league but has been minimized since the departure of Phil Jackson.

Gasol is only 31 years old and has played in all 40 games for the Lakers this season—meaning he has plenty of basketball left on his legs, which have remained healthy throughout the lockout-shortened season. 

With the Lakers still a championship contender and Gasol a big reason why, it's pointless for LA to continue shopping their faithful big man.