Until the NBA trade deadline passes, rumors surrounding Pau Gasol will run wild. No matter what the Los Angeles Lakers say, it will be assumed the center is a marked man until February. The latest reports involve the Cleveland Cavaliers but negotiations have stopped and started for much of the weekend. As the two teams continue talks, all signs point to Gasol staying put.
The Cavaliers have the intention of trading Andrew Bynum which is what first perked up the ears of the Lakers. The team could dump Gasol, get Bynum, release the center and save money. It is a win-win for the team struggling with salary cap issues after signing Kobe Bryant to a rather large two-year extension. They would save almost $20 million by getting rid of Gasol now instead of letting him walk away in free agency at the end of the year. But a simple player swap was not enough for the Lakers which is hurting negotiations.
According to FOX Sports reporter Sam Amico, the Lakers want more than just a Gasol, Bynum swap. The team tried to get Dion Waiters included in the deal which was shot down immediately. Waiters has been on the trade blocks for Cleveland for a few weeks now, but the team looks ready to keep the 22-year-old around. The Lakers then asked for a first-round pick along with Bynum and the Cavaliers said no. The Lakers then tried one more time, asking for Anderson Varejao and the Cavaliers once again said no.
Cleveland has no intentions of sending much more than Bynum to any team interested and Los Angeles is unwilling to let Gasol go for something they intend on releasing in the next few hours anyway. Despite the cap relief they would be receiving, the Lakers want more. Both sides are not budging so do not expect this trade to go down.
Time is running out to trade Bynum. The center is owed over $12 million come Jan. 7 at 5 p.m. when his contract becomes fully guaranteed. Cleveland is trying last-ditch efforts to get either the Utah Jazz or the Chicago Bulls interested, but if not then Bynum will simply be released at the deadline.