NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers will receive picks in Pau Gasol sign-and-trade

Pau Gasol’s time as a member of the Los Angeles will end shortly, as he will be shipped to the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade. That much we’re fairly sure of, with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reporting that a trade  “should be done [Saturday].”

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What’s been unsure is what the parameters of the deal would be. However, it looks like we have a better idea of what is to come, thanks to a report from Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.

The potential presence of the Houston Rockets in this trade is certainly interesting, as it could ultimately result in the team having the financial flexibility to make a big move.

As for the Lakers and Bulls, this move makes a lot of sense for both sides. With the news that Carmelo Anthony is likely to sign with the New York Knicks and not them, the Lakers are clearly still in a rebuilding stage. Acquiring picks, which they did Friday in deal that landed them Jeremy Lin, is the simplest way to push forward a rebuild.

The Anthony news also affects the Bulls, as it means they have to look elsewhere to get better this offseason. While Gasol is 34, he’s still able to contribute just fine; he averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game this past year.

Gasol’s presence would clearly put the Bulls in the top-tier of teams in the Eastern Conference next season.