NBA Trade Rumors: Highlighting Top Destinations for Lakers' Pau Gasol
Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol was the subject of never-ending trade rumors last NBA season, and the question of where will he end up is still being asked after the 2012 NBA draft.
According to a Friday night report from the Associated Press, the Minnesota Timberwolves are one team with strong interest in the veteran big man.
Houston, Memphis and Orlando have also been rumored as potential trade partners with the LA Lakers in exchange for Gasol's services next season. However, nothing consistent or substantial has come about involving any of those franchises.
Here are Gasol's top trade destinations this summer.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves boast two young NBA stars in Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love. Gasol to Minnesota makes the most sense of all because he would be paired with his Spanish National teammate in Rubio and one of the league's best front court players in Love.
Seeing as the T-Wolves would consider giving up their No. 2 pick from a year ago, Derrick Williams, they may be the team most willing to go all out for the soon-to-be 32-year-old.
If traded to Minnesota, Gasol would instantly turn the T-Wolves into contenders, as he would provide a lift offensively, on the boards and in the pick and roll game.
Gasol averaged 17.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game last season with the Lakers, and would benefit immensely from a change of scenery. Not to mention the Spaniard would likely be more than happy to join forces with a familiar face in Rubio.
The two players have chemistry already and would play well together under head coach Rick Adelman.
Atlanta Hawks
According to The Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan, the Atlanta Hawks have expressed interest in acquiring Pau Gasol from the Lakers in exchange for athletic power forward Josh Smith ever since both teams were eliminated from the 2012 NBA playoffs last spring.
Bresnahan reported earlier in the week that Smith has been unhappy in Atlanta for some time, and that the Hawks would love to pick up a consistent power forward to help them reach the next level in the postseason.
The 2012 NBA Draft has come and gone, however, and a potential trade of Gasol for Smith straight up seems to be unlikely, considering the Lakers would want much more in return for their 7-foot double-double machine.
The only reason LA would pull the trigger on such a deal is because Smith, 26, is five years younger than Gasol, and only on the books for one more season ($13.2 million), whereas Gasol is slated to make $38 million over the next two seasons.
In Atlanta, Gasol would become the Hawks No. 1 interior scoring option and allow Al Horford to flourish with reduced wear and tear inside the paint. The Hawks would also acquire a pick and roll threat who can finish at the rim, knock down a jump shot or find the open man for an easy basket.
The trade would reduce the cap stress on the Lakers, but it would hardly set them up for a run at the title in 2012-13, as Smith lacks the composure and consistency to put them over the top in the Western Conference.
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