Lakers Trade Rumors: Pau Gasol to Minnesota Would Be Smart Move for LA

If the Los Angeles Lakers want to find a deal involving Pau Gasol that will set them up well for more than just the 2012-13 season, their best bet will be to look at what the Minnesota Timberwolves would be willing to do to get the All-Star power forward. 

According to a report from the Associated Press, the Timberwolves are doing all they can to add Gasol to their suddenly strong nucleus in order to compete right away. 

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The Minnesota Timberwolves are pulling out all the stops in an effort to land Pau Gasol.

If they have to part with the highest draft choice in franchise history after just one season, the Wolves appear ready to do it.

That much became clear leading up to the NBA draft on Thursday, when Minnesota offered Derrick Williams to the Charlotte Bobcats for the No. 2 pick as a vehicle to help them land Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers, two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press.

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While the Timberwolves will clearly have to modify any offer they make the Lakers, since the draft has now come and gone with no movement on their part, the Lakers could do a lot worse than building a package around Derrick Williams. 

Williams was arguably the most-hyped prospect in the 2011 NBA draft. He was coming off a fantastic season at Arizona, where he led the Wildcats to the Elite 8. His combination of size, length, versatility and athleticism made him a potential star. 

His first season in Minnesota was not the fairy tale that anyone would have hoped for, with just 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, but there were positive signs and good games along the way.

Plus, Williams is just 21 years old. He has plenty of time to get better, as long as he is put in a situation where he can succeed. 

The Lakers give him the opportunity that he needs. They have the superstar already in place, as well as the center who can command attention down low to take pressure off Williams. 

He may not be a star from day one, but the Lakers are at a point where they have to figure out what to do about their future. They are going to have salary cap issues soon, and Williams is a cheap alternative right now, with plenty of upside to offer. 

The Lakers used to be a franchise that made bold moves as a way to remain competitive year after year after year. They have become fairly conservative recently, which is why they are in the position they are right now. 

In a market that doesn't afford the Lakers a perfect solution to fix their problems right away, Williams and Minnesota appear to be the best potential trade partner for them if/when they decide to move Gasol. 

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