Lakers Trade Rumors: Why Lakers Should Hold onto Pau Gasol

With the NBA trade deadline ending today at 3 p.m. EST, Pau Gasol will stay a Laker and not be moved.

A season-long insecurity has been plaguing the Spaniard. Gasol has had to endure trade rumors throughout this entire condensed season. In addition, the 7'0" forward was even traded before the season started only to have the trade revoked by Commissioner David Stern.

One could see how these events would lead to a fragile psyche.

Let's be honest, Gasol doesn't have the strongest personality. At times, he seems almost vulnerable.

It's not to the detriment of the forward, but rather just who he is as a person. He will never be an outspoken, demonstrative personality in the media.

As a result, the persistent rumors have affected him out on the court. He seems almost distracted at times and who can blame him?

For the Lakers, don't make a move. Keep your four-time All-Star forward. He's the most unique and versatile big man in the game today.

With that in mind, why would you move him?

It's not as if the Lakers are in danger of falling into mediocrity. Currently, they're third in the hotly contested Western Conference. A complete "blowing up" of the team would be foolish. Some minor tweaks can be made in order to aid their aspiration of competing for a championship.

The aforementioned tweaks should include acquiring help at the point guard position and adding some punch off of the bench.

A report yesterday indicated that the Lakers are strongly attempting to acquire both point guard Ramon Sessions and forward Michael Beasley.

Sessions would be a huge upgrade from current starter Derek Fisher. At only 25 years old, he'd also add much needed youth to an aging squad.

Getting Beasley would immensely help the anemic bench output of the Lakers. Outside of Steve Blake and possibly Andrew Goudelock, the Lakers have no real bench scoring threat. The forward from Kansas State would rectify that immediately

A core of Gasol, Sessions, Beasley, Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum could be very effective.

Additionally, breaking up the duo of Bynum and Gasol would effectively be tearing apart the Lakers' biggest strength.

There is not another team in the entire NBA that boasts an inside paring of Gasol and Bynum's caliber. The twosome make up the most skilled big man tandem in the league.

Both big men have a very good understanding of one's games as well. Gasol has thrown numerous lobs to Bynum—usually more than one per contest. How many 7'0" forwards have the ability to do that?

In terms of overall skill, Gasol is one of the best in the league regardless of position.

He combines an incredibly soft touch around the rim with a myriad of post moves. He has outstanding footwork and liberally uses his left hand (most notably on sweeping hooks).

Gasol's giraffe-like length helps to make him a great rebounder (with 10.4 per game). The Spaniard won't block a ton of shots, but his length enables him to alter and contest many around the rim.

His feathery touch even extends out to the three-point line. While his three-point percentage isn't high (20 percent), he's a respectable threat from 15-18 feet.

Perhaps Gasol's best attribute is his overall intelligence out on the floor. He utilizes that cerebral nature, and thus it makes him a superlative passer of the basketball.

The "Twin Towers" that the Lakers employ nightly make it so difficult for opposing teams to not only guard the Lakers, but score inside the paint against that type of length.

Despite being 31 years old, Gasol is still an elite player in the league. Unless a major haul is coming back to Los Angeles, the Lakers would be wise in keeping Gasol.

With a few minor tweaks, the Lakers will yet again be in contention for an NBA Championship.