NBA Rumors: Lakers have thoroughly explored trading Pau Gasol

The Los Angeles Lakers are not hiding their desire to trade Pau Gasol, but will such a deal be available to them? It doesn’t seem that way unless they want to lower their asking price.

Los Angeles has reportedly thoroughly explored the idea of trading Gasol according to Steve Kyler, but has continued to be rebuffed in their efforts. Multiple reports have suggested the Lakers are simply asking too much for Gasol and Kyler believes unless the Lakers are open to the rumored deal with the Phoenix Suns, they may not find another offer worthwhile.

"The Lakers have THOROUGHLY explored moving Pau and unless they take the Phoenix deal of Okafor and the Pacers pick, I am not sure there is a deal there for LA. I think they have to try and move him, unless they know he’ll re-sign on a bargain deal to remain a Laker. I am just not sold there is anything the Lakers would do, because to move $19 million in salary you have to take back money and I think the Lakers simply won’t do that unless they get pieces they can say are part of the future."

Of course, things always change in the final days/hours before the NBA trade deadline and that could possibly be the situation with Gasol considering teams will inevitably blink in the trade negotiations as the clock ticks down.