Pau Gasol Trade Rumors: Lakers Will Finally Embrace Future with Spanish Star

Judging by the temperature in the room, Pau Gasol should begin unpacking his bags and look forward to the rest of the season with the L.A. Lakers. 

I was almost done filling out a farewell card for my favorite Spaniard in the NBA when a quick jaunt around the web showed the Lakers were far more likely to keep Pau Gasol than previously thought. 

The L.A. Times' Mike Bresnahan reported earlier:

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The [Lakers and Celtics] talked last week about a trade for Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, though nothing was close to accomplished and discussions dried up.

The Lakers are unwilling to trade Pau Gasol for Rondo, making a deal with Boston unlikely before the trade deadline Thursday.

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Before you go thinking about the Lakers taking a stab at Kyle Lowry, think again. The Rockets guard suffered a health issue recently that should keep him out of action for the next two to four weeks, hardly the player that would help a title contender. 

CBS Sports' Ken Berger echoes the thought:

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The Lakers are said to be serious about trading Pau Gasol in the right deal, with the emphasis on saving on future payroll. But Rockets guard Kyle Lowry being out 2-4 weeks with a bacterial infection may have put the brakes on a potential Gasol-to-Houston deal. 

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The well is running dry on deals that would make sense regarding one of the best big men in the game. The Lakers may have been eager to send Gasol packing, but this should come as great news for Lakers fans. 

It's clear this team has holes, but none remain down low, where Gasol and Andrew Bynum continue to make headway as a dynamic duo and force in the paint. 

The best possible scenario is getting a guard on the cheap that allows you to keep Gasol and Bynum as clear mismatches for opponents to face. 

Alex Kennedy of HOOPSWORLD reports just the deal that would work:

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The Lakers have been linked to Ramon Sessions for weeks and they continue to express significant interest in the Cleveland Cavaliers' point guard. While other teams have called about Sessions, the Lakers are believed to be the frontrunner to acquire his services, if they decide to pull the trigger on a deal.

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If they can get Sessions and keep Gasol, they would be far deeper as they head into the playoff push. 

Gasol should only be dealt for another superstar or budding talent that may one day feature as a marquee name. 

As of now, no such deal exists. 

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