Despite a public plea from Kobe Bryant, GM Mitch Kupchak doesn't intend to take Pau Gasol off the trade block yet. Just under 58% of Hoops Rumors readers who responded to yesterday's poll expect the Lakers to deal Gasol, but with just over three weeks until the trade deadline, Gasol figures to be the subject of trade rumors and speculation right up until March 15th. Yesterday's Gasol updates can be found here, while today's items are rounded up below, with the latest on top:
- A Western Conference executive tells Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld that the Lakers are seeking too large a return for Gasol: "I doubt Pau goes anywhere…. I love Pau, but the Lakers are asking for way too much."
- The most logical trade rumors involving Gasol are the ones that involve point guards, says Sean Deveney of the Sporting News, who names Rajon Rondo and Kyle Lowry as two trade targets that make sense for L.A. Whether or not the Celtics or Rockets would part ways with their point guards to acquire Gasol is another issue. As much as the Rockets are said to like Gasol, they don't seem inclined to make Lowry available.
- No moves involving Gasol are imminent, adds Deveney.
- The Lakers are receiving below-average production from so many players in their rotation that trading Gasol may be the only logical way to fill their holes, says John Hollinger in an Insider-only ESPN.com piece.
- Lee Jenkins of SI.com notes that it was a public tirade from Kobe that ultimately led to the Lakers acquiring Gasol, and explores what Kobe's latest rant could mean for the team.
The framework of a deal involving Gasol goes through Houston and Minnesota. The Rockets move Kevin Martin to the Wolves, the Wolves move Michael Beasley and either Luke Ridenour or JJ Barea to the Lakers and the Lakers move Gasol to the Houston. The Lakers also get another useful player from either the Wolves or Rockets and a couple of other bodies are moved to even up the money. At least that’s what we were hearing last night after the Wolves beat Utah!