L.A. Lakers Reportedly Take Pau Gasol Off Trade Block

Los Angeles Lakers veteran big man Pau Gasol, who has had his name floated in trade rumors throughout the 2013-14 season, has reportedly been taken off the trade block.

According to Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein of ESPN, the Lakers have determined that their best plan of action is to keep the Spaniard, as opposed to trading him elsewhere.

The 33-year-old seven-footer has rarely seen eye-to-eye with head coach Mike D’Antoni since the former New York Knicks coach took over for Mike Brown last season. The two exchanged words through the media recently, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.

“When I’m not getting the ball where I want to, where I’m most effective, where I can bang guys and utilize my skill, that affects my aggressiveness and overall intensity,” Gasol said.

D’Antoni countered that sentiment by saying, “Everybody, to a man, we’ve just got to play harder and worry about things less.”

Gasol, at least for the moment, appears to have taken those words to heart. He’s averaging 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in his last two contests, which earned him praise from D’Antoni, per Mike Trudell on Twitter:

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne tweeted that the Lakers inquired about Houston Rockets center Omer Asik, but trade talks never got serious:

D’Antoni and Gasol have had their differences, but it appears that the pair will remain together for the foreseeable future.

Gasol’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2013-14 season.