Lakers Trade Rumors: Lakers Would Regret Dealing Pau Gasol

Trading Pau Gasol isn't a good idea.

Sure, he's 32 years old and doesn't seem like a great fit in Mike D'Antoni's run-and-gun offense, and Kobe Bryant didn't mince words when talking to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:

"Pau is used to laboring up the floor and coasting a little bit. In this offense, we have to put the motor on the first few steps we move up the court."

Heck, even his new coach took a veiled shot at his All-Star power forward (h/t USA Today):

"

Mike D'Antoni on sitting Pau Gasol last night: "I was thinking, 'Well, I'd like to win this game.'" usat.ly/U3QXJW

— USA TODAY Sports (@USATODAYsports) November 24, 2012"

Some have been yelling for the Lakers to trade Gasol to the Atlanta Hawks for pending free agent Josh Smith, but there are multiple problems with that scenario.

First, Gasol doesn't fit in with what Atlanta does offensively. Second, Atlanta is going to do everything in their power to keep Smith in a Hawks uniform for years to come.

Most importantly though, is this, via NBC Sports:

"

Report: Hawks not interested in trading Josh Smith for Pau Gasol dlvr.it/2VXMkB #PBT #NBA

— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) November 17, 2012"

Therein lies the rub.

You won't find a GM around looking to do the Lakers a favor by taking Gasol—and the more than $38 million due to him over the next two seasons—off of their hands without getting rid of terrible contracts in return.

So if the Lakers are interested in a broken Amar'e Stoudemire in exchange for Gasol, I'm sure the Knicks would be willing to talk.

Mike D'Antoni needs to make things work with Gasol in the mix, for what they got in exchange for him wouldn't be any better of a fit—or more cap friendly a contract—than what they have with Gasol.