The Pau Gasol trade rumors have started heating up again and it's the Phoenix Suns that could be involved with the Los Angeles Lakers star, as reports say that Emeka Okafor and his contract could be traded for the forward before the trading deadline on February 20.
According to ESPN.com, the Phoenix Suns have emerged as a potential trade partner with the Lakers and this comes after Gasol was mentioned in trade talks numerous times this season, including in a possible deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers before he was taken off the block. Gasol has been mentioned in trade rumors over the past three or four seasons and now he could potentially move in a deal with Suns to help save some cap space. Gasol is making $19.3 million this season and one reason the deal could go down is the motivation by the Suns to try and make a playoff run as they simultaneously rebuild with some young stars.
The report from ESPN says that the Suns are looking to get at least one veteran player at the trading deadline to try and make a solid playoff run after opening up as one of the most surprising teams in the western conference. The Suns have the chance to make a move without losing too much, as they have extra draft picks after the Luis Scola and Marcin Gortat deals and they have a favorable contract situation to deal with on Emeka Okafor, who has not played this season and has insurance picking up the tab on 80 percent of his deal. The money can work on both sides since the contracts are expiring and Okafor has $14.5 million on his contract and Gasol has $19.3 million and the Suns have cap space at $5.6 million and the two sides could try to work out a deal.
The Lakers nearly traded Gasol for Andrew Bynum earlier in the season to save money in a deal with the Cavaliers, but the Bulls jumped in and acquired him for Luol Deng before cutting him and now LA could try a similar move with Okafor, although according to ESPN.com they won't save as much money as they would have in the Bynum deal. The Lakers have held off on trading Gasol this season, but with Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash sidelined and the team fading into the bottom of the west, fully starting a rebuild and getting draft picks or cap space might be the best move.
Reports earlier in the season have the Lakers going after Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and/or Kevin Love in the future and to get that done they will need to clear some more space over the next two summers. Gasol has been playing very well for the Lakers while averaging over 20 points and 11 rebounds this month and that could lead to a move for the Suns, who feel they have a chance to make some noise in the western conference with Goran Dragic and Alex Len. The team is nearing 30 wins already and with the Lakers at 21 losses, the two teams are in opposite positions and heading into the deadline would give both teams a chance to put themselves in better position. The Suns could also try and sign Gasol as they build a team with young players like Eric Bledsoe and Archie Goodwin.