There have been conflicting reports out there about Pau Gasol’s future, and if something will happen, it will happen before the start of Sunday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets. If Gasol was to be traded to the Cavaliers for Andrew Bynum, he wouldn’t be in the starting lineup, but according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN LA, he is set to start tonight:
If Gasol was on the move, you'd figure Lakers would sit him tonight vs. Denver. As of five minutes ago, I'm told he's starting.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 6, 2014
The deal seemed unlikely anyways, as the Lakers shouldn’t just trade Gasol so they won’t have to pay repeater’s tax. They reportedly want an asset in return, and it seems as if Cleveland isn’t budging (and no, Alonzo Gee is not an asset). According to Bill Simmons on ESPN, the Cavs are likely going to waive Bynum to save money:
Hearing the Cavs plan on waiving Bynum to save 6m barring a last-second miracle offer tonight. They can't get anything half-decent for him.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 6, 2014
All in all, this situation will finally come to an end after Sunday night. Bynum’s contract becomes fully guaranteed on Monday, so he will either be traded or waived before that. As of now, Gasol is going to remain a Laker, but we will update you on this situation as more details emerge.