Pau Gasol Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Bucher On Jennings, Evans, Varejao, Gasol

December 16th, 2012 at 8:35am CST by Chuck Myron

With a few exceptions, yesterday was the day free agents signed this offseason became eligible to be included in trades, so rumors will no doubt begin to intensify. Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game shares a few dispatches via Sulia, and we'll round them up here.

Of the two most prominent names headed for restricted free agency next summer, Brandon Jennings has a better chance of being traded this year than Tyreke Evans. The Bucks are cognizant that several teams are "quietly assessing" Jennings to gauge his worth, though Bucher has been given no indication the team is looking to trade him at the moment.
The Kings, who'll have the ability to match offers to Evans, are content to sit back and wait for another team to set his value on the market. Sacramento is reluctant to let go of Evans' talent even though it's still unclear what position he plays best.
Among prominent veteran trade candidates like Pau Gasol, Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon, Anderson Varejao is the only one with a significant chance of being dealt soon. Gasol isn't going anywhere right now because of the promise the Lakers made to Steve Nash that he and Gasol would get to play together.

Odds & Ends: Gasol, D-League, Knicks, Nash

December 15th, 2012 at 10:08pm CST by Michael Pina

There has been much talk that the Lakers should trade Pau Gasol. Ben Bolch from the Los Angeles Times gives five possible trade scenarios that could end up pleasing both parties. .

Ridiculous Upside's Keith Schlosser writes that former first round draft pick Damion James is currently down in the D-League fighting his way back to the NBA. And he's not the only one. Ryan Ripley tells the same story with Morris Almond.
ESPNNewYork.com's Jared Zwerling writes that Knicks head coach Mike Woodson prefers to push the ball and increase the tempo.
The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding writes that Lakers fans should be exicted as they await Steve Nash's return.
Former Bulls backup point guard C.J. Watson says he was "mistreated" in the offseason and had no plans on re-signing with Chicago, writes The Chicago Sun-Times' Neil Hayes. Watson is currently backing up Deron Williams with the Nets.

Stein On Pau, Raptors, Varejao, Jazz, Gentry

December 14th, 2012 at 3:49pm CST by Luke Adams

ESPN.com's Marc Stein has published his Weekend Dime, and leads off the jam-packed column with a look at a handful of players that are candidates to be dealt before February 21st's trade deadline. Here are the highlights on those guys, and from the rest of Stein's piece:

The Lakers continue to recognize that they're unlikely to get fair value for Pau Gasol, given his health, salary, and performance, and would prefer to avoid another major shakeup anyway. So for now, they're still not seriously considering a Pau trade.
Multiple front-office sources view the Raptors as the team most motivated to make a move. The team would like to make Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon in tandem, but Bargnani's elbow injury may force Toronto to deal Calderon on his own. The Lakers and Mavericks have interest, though neither team is an obvious match for Calderon's $10.5MM+ salary.
NBA teams believe Anderson Varejao is "highly available," but are skeptical he'll be dealt, since the Cavaliers' high asking price is only increasing. Cleveland is seeking multiple young assets for Varejao, according to Stern, who says the Thunder, a potential match, have exhibited little interest.
Teams around the league aren't sure whether the Jazz would be more inclined to trade Paul Millsap or Al Jefferson, but the general consensus suggests one of the two will be dealt by the deadline for a front-line point guard.
Stein lists a few other names that come up repeatedly in talks with sources as trade candidates: Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings, Derrick Williams, Luke Ridnour, J.J. Barea, Michael Beasley, Courtney Lee, and D.J. Augustin.
Former Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley may already be interested in buying another team, with the Bucks as a potential target, according to Stein.
Robert Sarver's assurances that Alvin Gentry will keep his job as Suns head coach shouldn't be viewed as a "dreaded" vote of confidence. Sources tell Stein that Sarver likes Gentry "too much personally to make an in-season change."

Lakers Rumors: Gasol, Bell, D’Antoni, Jackson

December 14th, 2012 at 11:17am CST by Luke Adams

As I suggested in yesterday's round-up of Lakers links, a loss last night in New York wouldn't have been the end of the world, but a loss tonight in Washington? If that happens, sound the alarm bells. As L.A. looks to snap its four-game losing streak, let's browse a few Lakers rumors….

Multiple sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports that if Pau Gasol still struggles to find a fit with the Lakers once Steve Nash has returned, the team would be willing to explore dealing him for a younger, more athletic forward and bench help.
With Wojnarowski's piece, the Yahoo! scribe also says the Lakers have put their pursuit of Raja Bell on held as they realize that point guard is a more pressing concern. The Bulls are willing to commit to Bell on a non-guaranteed deal, says Wojnarowski, but that hasn't motivated the veteran forward to finalize a buyout with the Jazz.
Kobe Bryant doesn't blame the Lakers' struggles on new coach Mike D'Antoni, as Fred Kerber of the New York Post writes. "It’s not fair. He’s been thrown into a situation," Bryant said. "It’s been a huge adjustment for all of us. And we’ve been asked to figure it out with some key pieces that are out. When they come back we’ll get this thing locked and loaded."
Lakers fans still holding out hope for Phil Jackson probably shouldn't hold their breath, as Jackson tells TMZ.com that he wouldn't take the job if it were offered to him.

Lakers Notes: Kobe, Gasol, World Peace

December 12th, 2012 at 7:17pm CST by Sean Highkin

The Los Angeles Lakers have continued to struggle this week, losing 100-94 on Tuesday to the Cleveland Cavaliers to fall to 9-13 so far for the 2012/13 season. Here are the latest tidbits around the team:

Lakers.com's Mike Trudell reports that Kobe Bryant defended the struggling Pau Gasol from recent criticism during an appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter. Bryant reiterated how important Gasol is to the team and should be viewed among the top big men in the game (Twitter links).
Lakers forward Metta World Peace told the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan that the team should not use the injuries to Gasol and Steve Nash as an excuse for their struggles.
Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky of ESPNLosAngeles.com discuss the Lakers' playoff hopes in a new video segment.

Pacific Notes: Gortat, Curry, Gasol, Jamison

December 9th, 2012 at 10:54pm CST by Ryan Raroque

According to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, Suns starting center Marcin Gortat might be becoming "restless" in Phoenix, noting that he has tallied a total of just 50 minutes over the last two games despite not being in foul trouble. While Robbins references a "Polish-language publication" that suggested Gortat would welcome a trade to the Celtics, Bulls, Mavericks, or even back to the Magic, he also mentions that Phoenix hasn't given the impression that they're willing to deal him at this point. With that aside, here's the rest of tonight's tidbits coming from the Pacific Division:

Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles looks at the success and production of the Clippers' second unit, which has started to gain some popularity with the nickname "A Tribe Called Bench."
Warriors coach Mark Jackson firmly believes that Stephen Curry is an All-Star based on his performance after 20 games this season. It's hard to disagree, as the 24-year-old Davidson product is averaging 19.7 PPG, 6.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, and nearly 4 RPG for the fifth-seeded team in the Western Conference. Jeff Zillgit of USA Today also mentions that Curry has been worry-free about the ankle problems that had sidelined him for all but 16 games last year.
Mike D'Antoni hints that Pau Gasol could play on Tuesday if his pain has lessened enough (Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer tweets).
Compared to his experiences in Cleveland and Washington, 15-year-veteran Antawn Jamison isn't rattled by the Lakers' slow start. As of late, he has been one of the team's most consistent performers, hitting double figure scoring in six of the last eight games: "I'm comfortable, not thinking at all, having fun, competing and doing the things I normally do. So it's a lot easier. I was getting frustrated, but now I'm just out there playing" (Schmitt Boyer reports).
Mike Monroe of Spurs Nation revisits the 1996 trade that sent then Charlotte-draft pick Kobe Bryant to the Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac.
In addition to the Rockets and Nuggets, the Lakers cracked HoopsWorld's list of most surprising teams this season from the Western Conference.

Odds & Ends: D-League, Odom, World Peace

December 9th, 2012 at 5:44pm CST by Chuck Myron

Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld spoke with Dan Reed, the president of the NBA's developmental league, and heard that there is growing interest from several NBA teams in either purchasing or having a joint affiliation with a team in the NBDL. According to Reed, Koutropis notes that with an increase in the assignments of young players from the NBA to the D-League, it will make for a great opportunity for developmental affiliates to market themselves with some of the NBA's top young talent. Here are more of today's odds and ends from the Association:

Lamar Odom is starting to get in shape and is displaying flashes of his old Sixth Man of the Year form, as Elliott Teaford of the Los Angeles Daily News observes.
The Lakers' decision not to amnesty Metta World Peace before last season is paying off, writes Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, who adds that this summer's discovery and treatment of a nerve issue that had been bothering World Peace for four years has reinvigorated his play.
Nuggets guard Ty Lawson admits he can do better than his slumping performance this season, and Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post outlines what the point guard must do to return to the form that netted him a four-year, $48MM extension in October.
Despite GM David Kahn's denial of Pau Gasol trade rumors, the Timberwolves "would love" to acquire the big man and play him at center, according to Bob Finnan of The News-Herald.
Finnan also hears from sources within the ranks of media, agents, assistant coaches, GMs and scouts who tell him they are convinced LeBron James will opt out of his contract in 2014.
Center Solomon Alabi is close to a deal with a Chinese club, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. The 7'1" Alabi was let go by the Hornets at the end of training camp. He spent the last two seasons with the Raptors, but saw little playing time, averaging 1.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 7.0 minutes a game over 26 total contests.

Latest On Nash, Gasol

December 9th, 2012 at 1:47pm CST by Sean Highkin

ESPNLosAngeles.com's Dave McMenamin has a few updates via Twitter regarding the Lakers' injured starters. He tweets the news from Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni that there is a chance Steve Nash will play for the team on their upcoming road trip.

D'Antoni said it was not definite that the 38-year-old point guard would return in the near future, but that he was far enough along in his recovery that it was a possibility. Nash has not played for the Lakers since their second game of the season, when he suffered a broken leg.

McMenamin also reports (link to tweet) that Pau Gasol will remain the starter at power forward when he returns from his current bout with knee tendinitis. This news comes in spite of the rocky start Gasol is off to with D'Antoni as coach, and the perceived notion that the two were not on the same page. The team was previously considering bringing Gasol off the bench when he returned. It would also point to the recent statements from the team that they do not intend to trade Gasol.

Lakers Notes: Gasol, Nash, Paul

December 8th, 2012 at 12:43pm CST by Zachary Links

Kobe Bryant had 35 points and seven assists last night, but it wasn’t enough to power the Lakers past the Thunder last night. Here’s a look at the latest on the Lakers as they get set take on the Jazz tomorrow night..

The Lakers are debating whether to bring Pau Gasol off the bench when he returns from knee tendinitis, a person familiar with the team’s thinking told Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. The team is trying to weigh how a demotion would affect Gasol and will keep him if the starting lineup if they feel that it would hurt his play. Last night, Steve Nash confirmed that he asked the Lakers not to trade Gasol as a prerequisite for him joining the team.
There’s panic in L.A. over the Lakers’ 9-10 record, but their poor results have been driven by luck as much as they have by skill, argues John Hollinger of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req’d). The Lakers are just 1-9 in games decided by ten points or fewer, and have gone 8-1 in the others.
Brian Geltzeiler of Sheridan Hoops looked back at the vetoed blockbuster that would have sent Chris Paul to the other Los Angeles team. The proposed deal would have put Paul alongside Kobe Bryant and shipped Gasol to the Rockets.

Nash Asked Lakers To Keep Gasol Before Signing

December 7th, 2012 at 10:48pm CST by Zachary Links

On Wednesday, Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game heard from a source that the Lakers landed Steve Nash this summer by promising him that he would get to play with Pau Gasol. Earlier tonight, the guard confirmed the story in an interview with ESPN’s Doris Burke, tweets Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com.

Nash says that he told Lakers brass “If Pau is staying, I want to come.” In essence, Nash turned down offers from the Knicks and passed on the opportunity to return to Canada with the Raptors because he was promised that Gasol would be in Los Angeles. One has to imagine that the Lakers would be reluctant to trade the forward months after promising Nash that he would stay put.

Speaking to the media today, Wolves GM David Kahn told reporters that he hasn’t had any trade talks with the Lakers. Meanwhile, buzz around the league suggests that teams aren’t eager to trade for Gasol and his $19MM salary.