Lakers Trade Rumors: Update on Pau Gasol Rumors
With the NBA trade deadline just mere days away, trade chatter around the league has reached a deafening level with a constant stream of rumors making their way around the sports world. One constant in these trade rumors has been Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol who has been mentioned in trade talks since before the season began.
This past Friday, for a brief period, it looked like Gasol was on the verge of finally changing teams before it became apparent that these rumors were false. However, over the weekend the trade buzz over Pau Gasol didn’t dissipate as teams including the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics pursed the four-time NBA All-Star.
The Houston Rockets were involved in starting the constant trade talks surrounding Gasol as they reached an agreement to acquire Gasol before the NBA and David Stern stepped in and nixed the deal. Since that time, the Rockets and Gasol have been constantly mentioned together.
One rumor that had been recently making the rounds was a potential Gasol for Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry trade. While this trade would have given the Lakers the upgrade at point guard they so desperately need—not to mention a solid power forward to replace Gasol—it is no longer an option due to Lowry being sidelined for the next two to four weeks with a sinus infection.
Matching the Rockets in their aggressive pursuit of Gasol have been the Minnesota Timberwolves, who could provide trade packages featuring Michael Beasley or Derrick Williams. The low post tandem of Kevin Love and Gasol would undoubtedly improve the Timberwolves chances of making a playoff run, but it remains to be seen if the Lakers are interested in the players that they would be receiving in return for Gasol.
The newest team to enter the mix in the Gasol sweepstakes is the Boston Celtics, who are rumored to have offered Rajon Rondo for Gasol, only to be turned down by the Lakers. Due to the Celtics' mediocrity this season—including yesterday's loss at the hands of the Lakers—Rondo, much like Gasol, has been constantly mentioned in potential trades.
Out of all the options that the Lakers currently have on the table, a trade with the Celtics seems to be the most logical as the Lakers could fill their void at point guard with a legitimate All-Star talent in Rondo. Of course it would be a steep price to pay as the Lakers would then have a weakness at the power forward position, but a potential Rondo-for-Gasol swap is something that warrants heavy consideration from Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers front office.
The possibility for Gasol to be included in a potential trade with the Orlando Magic for Dwight Howard is still out there but seemingly less likely with each passing day, as the Magic look like they will be holding on to Howard through the trade deadline.
These next three days leading up to the trade deadline will surely bring new rumors to the table, but even then there remains the distinct possibility that the Lakers will hold on to Gasol and make a playoff run with the team as it currently stands. That being said, the Lakers will likely continue to entertain offers for Gasol; if the right offer presents itself, the Lakers won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
