Lakers Trade Rumors: Pau Gasol Needs Timberwolves to Salvage His Career

The Los Angeles Lakers might be feeling the pressure to make moves this offseason. Pau Gasol seems like the most likely piece for the team to move, if it decides to do so. He might not be looking to get out of town, but it would be the best thing for his career. 

According to the Associated Press (via Sports Illustrated), there is a team looking to seriously move in on Gasol this offseason. 

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

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The Wolves' interest in Gasol has long been rumored, with the highly skilled big man considered an ideal fit for coach Rick Adelman's corner offense, and the kind of playoff-tested veteran needed on one of the youngest rosters in the NBA. He is also close friends with Rubio, the Wolves' superb young point guard who is recovering from a torn ACL and hopes to be ready early next season.

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Gasol needs a team like the Timberwolves right now. Los Angeles just seems to be done with him, like he was a pariah responsible for all the problems the franchise was having before making a late run to finish third in the Western Conference. 

Despite having success with the Lakers, Gasol has never felt like a Los Angeles player. He is a small market, stay-out-of-the-spotlight player. No disrespect to Minnesota, but the city doesn't exactly have the glitz and glam of Hollywood. 

Plus, the situation surrounding Gasol in Minnesota would be much more favorable than Los Angeles. 

The Timberwolves have a good, young nucleus already in place, with Rubio and Kevin Love. They are not that far away from being a real playoff contender in the Western Conference. 

Gasol would be able to fit right in with those two players and get back to playing basketball without having to worry about whether he is going to be traded this week. 

If the Timberwolves are able to make a move on Gasol, he should be more than happy to take his talents to Minnesota. 

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