Despite a flurry of new trade speculation that surfaced when new head coach Mike D'Antoni arrived in Los Angeles, the Lakers aren't actively looking to trade Pau Gasol, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. The team is waiting to see what the roster looks like when Steve Nash returns from the small fracture in his leg that has sidelined him for most of the season.
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld reported a similar sentiment yesterday, noting that the Lakers would simply like to see Gasol play better, rather than trying to move him. According to Bresnahan, D'Antoni believes the Spaniard can be a solid fit in his system, though there's been an up-and-down adjustment period so far.
"He can easily play our system and he's going to be a very important player for us," D'Antoni said of Gasol after he recorded 13 points and nine boards against the Mavericks on Saturday.
With Nash, Kobe Bryant, and Dwight Howard obviously not going anywhere, Gasol represents the most likely trade candidate of the Lakers' stars, given his declining numbers and his sizable contract ($38MM+ over the next two seasons). For now though, without having seen those four star players together on the court under D'Antoni, the Lakers have no interest in exploring a deal.