Could Pau Gasol finally be getting traded? The Los Angeles Lakers' 2013-14 season continues to head downhill as injuries have been too much to get past. The team has been take brief jumps into the trade pool and a deal could be coming before the deadline as the Phoenix Suns have taken interest in acquiring Gasol.
ESPN's Marc Stein reports the Phoenix Suns are interested in trading for Gasol in hopes of completing what looks to be a playoff-bound season. NBA sources report the Suns are actively trying to put together a trade package in order to get Gasol as the team is unexpectedly in the running for the postseason.
The Los Angeles Times followed up that report saying Gasol is very open in getting traded to the Suns. The big man is anxious to prove himself in a new system. He was already not expected to return to the Lakers next season, so getting traded to a playoff contending team has reportedly spiked Gasol's interest.
Gasol is finishing up the final year of his contract, set to earn $19.2 million this season. The Suns are willing to give up Emeka Okafor and his $14.4 million contract that is expiring this summer. Phoenix is reportedly not turned off by Gasol's declining numbers. The center has not fit well in Mike D'Antoni's system and that could be the main reason.
This deal could stall out if the Lakers request too much in return for Gasol. The Suns have plenty of draft picks to give up which should be very intriguing for the Lakers since they plan on rebuilding with youth this offseason. The Suns might be pressured into giving up that 2015 first-round pick they earned in the Steve Nash trade. They could also give up one of their younger players in order to acquire Gasol.
Rumors around Gasol have been sending mixed signals during the trading period. There are certainly financial benefits with getting rid of Gasol. Trading him for Okafor would immediately drop the team less than $3 million away from the luxury-tax threshold. That is certainly tempting considering the team plans on making a splash in free agency over the next two years.
Gasol is no longer a super star, but he would provide a spark for Phoenix. He is averaging 20.8 points and 11.9 rebounds per game while shooting 51 percent in the month of January. He would not be cost excessive for the Suns and would give the team flexibility in the long-term with his expiring contract. Considering the Lakers are below .500 and 10.5 games back from making the postseason, a trade makes sense. They have been dangling Gasol for some time and this might be the deal that gets done.