NBA Rumors: Lakers Would Be Crazy to Trade Pau Gasol for Andre Iguodala

A lust for change will drown the Los Angeles Lakers.

After a second straight disappointing season, Pau Gasol is once again the talk of the rumor mill. If Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak choose to trade the Spaniard, they must execute a deal that isn’t change-oriented.

David McMenamin of ESPN reported that Kupchak said change is on the horizon. While the report is a breath of fresh air to fans that were painfully forced to witness the Oklahoma City Thunder trample their beloved franchise, feeling inclined to accept an offer for change alone would destroy the Lakers.

Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld reported that LA is expected to pursue Andre Iguodala once again after failing to reach an agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers for him last summer. According to John Finger of Comcast SportsNet, Gasol is a name that the Lakers will potentially use as bait.

LA would have to be clinically insane to trade Gasol for Iguodala, though.

A swap for Iggy would be change-oriented. Again, change is not what the Lakers need. Improvement is, and yes, there’s a huge difference.

Pau is one of the most skilled low-post players in the NBA. While his passiveness is mind-numbing, the value of his length is undeniable. Los Angeles won two championships with him as the second-best baller on the team.

Iguodala would without a doubt be an upgrade over Metta World Peace, but it isn't worth sacrificing an All-Star caliber power forward for the boost.

Swapping Gasol for Iguodala would bring change. Would that exchange improve LA, though? No way.

Only if the 76ers offered a package that included Jrue Holiday/Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young would the Lakers actually improve. And until Kupchak receives a similar offer, he must keep his finger off of the trigger.

Patience is the key. It’s a long offseason.

Swapping Andrew Bynum for Dwight Howard would bring improvement. Somehow reeling in Deron Williams would bring improvement.

LA is better off doing absolutely nothing but using their mid-level exception to upgrade their second unit than giving away Gasol or Bynum for talent that doesn’t measure up.

Forget change. Crave advancement.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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