Rival executives from around the league believe the Lakers and Suns will likely resume trade discussions that will culminate in a deal that sends Pau Gasol to Phoenix in exchange for Emeka Okafor, according to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders (via these tweets). Executives believe Gasol is the best player the Suns could receive for Okafor’s expiring, insured contract. Kennedy says it’s expected that Gasol will leave in free agency this summer if he remains with the Lakers, and executives believe LA would like to receive assets for Gasol at the trade deadline rather than letting him walk away this summer for nothing.
Talks between the two teams came to a halt earlier this month because the Suns believed the Lakers’ asking price for Gasol to be too high. Still, discussions were expected to continue through the deadline, and it appears Phoenix may now be under the belief that trading for Gasol might be worth sacrificing one of their potentially four 2014 draft selections.
Like Okafor, Gasol’s contract expires at the end of the season, and there’s no indication either way if he’d remain in Phoenix beyond this year if the Suns were to acquire him. However, Phoenix is fighting for a playoff spot, and acquiring Gasol might help supplement the club as a group that could potentially make some noise this postseason.
The Suns are not going to send anything more than the Pacers 1st round pick in any deal for Gasol. That is what has been on the table this whole time. Personally, I would rather the Suns try to package 2 picks this season + Okafor for Love before trading for Gasol.
if i was the lakers i’d take okafor and there own 2015 pick they owe the suns for the steve nash tade and call it a day..lakers also need to move hill,and blake for 2nd round picks
yeah the Suns are too smart to give you that pick back.
that pick is top 5 protected next year I think, and not sure about the year after, but I doubt were getting that pick next season.
I agree completely with this. They also need nash to come back and prove he can play well before the season is over so they can maybe convince a couple teams he and his expiring contract is worth trading for come this off season. And Kaman, they need to move Kaman for a second rounder too.