Lakers Trade Rumors: L.A. Must Keep Pau Gasol to Stay in NBA Title Contention

If the Los Angeles Lakers trade All-Star forward Pau Gasol, inevitably, they also deal away any hopes at an NBA championship-contending season.

According to L.A. Times writer Mike Bresnahan, Gasol has been in the trade rumors before the NBA's trade deadline, as there are even erroneous Twitter posts from basketball authors coming out talking about Gasol being as good as dealt.

The numbers don't lie when it comes to Gasol's impact in the team's ability to win basketball games and NBA titles.

Since Gasol has been a member of the Lakers, Kobe Bryant and this L.A. team has seen three NBA Finals appearances and two NBA championships in a total of four postseasons with this team.

Gasol has been able to make this L.A. Lakers team into a consistent championship threat in a difficult Western Conference, an unmeasurable statistic that has to have Gasol as a priority for this Lakers team.

When it comes to the numbers, Gasol is having as dominant a season as he has had on the glass. His 10.5 rebounds per game are among the top 10 averages in the league, ranking No. 8 through Saturday's games.

Offensively, his points per game have dropped to 16.7 points per game, yet he is still shooting above 50 percent on the year.

He has also been taking fewer shots as a result of Kobe Bryant leading the way in this regard. Bryant is the league-leader in points per game with 28.9 a contest.

Much like Rajon Rondo in Boston, Gasol has responded in his play as of late for the team. In his last four games, Gasol is averaging 11.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.

With the type of resume that Gasol has put in the winning department and the improvements in his game as of late, there is no reason to give up on the talent.

Boasting top numbers in the most important statistic in the game—winning—Gasol must stay a Laker if this team expects to win an NBA championship in 2012.