According to Yahoo! Sports’ Marc J. Spears, the Lakers brass have been shopping around the league for a potential taker for Gasol. With more than five weeks to go before the NBA puts the kibosh on trades for the season, there is a decent chance that L.A unearths a decent deal for the big man.
While it was widely reported that L.A. was having discussions with the Cleveland Cavaliers that would have sent Gasol to Ohio in exchange for former teammate Andrew Bynum, the Cavs brass decided to go in another direction and flipped the slumping center, along with three draft picks, to the Chicago Bulls for Luol Deng.
L.A. was seeking cap relief in that trade, hoping to re-acquire the player it drafted No. 10 overall back in 2005 and subsequently cut him before Jan. 7 in order to avoid paying a guaranteed salary to the 26-year-old—which is what exactly what Chicago wound up doing to get under the luxury tax threshold.
However, with Gasol’s recent resurgence, there is a chance that the Lakers will be able to bring in more assets closer to the deadline. The 13-year veteran returned from a two-game absence on New Year’s Eve and has been playing extremely well in the four contests since.
During that stretch, Gasol is averaging 21.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and an impressive 3.0 blocks per game in 36.5 minutes. This renewed energy on both ends of the floor has resulted in just one win, but it is rapidly improving the 7-footer’s stock around the league.
Both contenders and tanking teams may be willing to take on Gasol, as his $19 million-plus expiring contract is an immensely valuable asset this coming offseason. H...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
