The Los Angeles Lakers may not be happy with Pau Gasol right now, but the team is not planning on trading him any time soon. Gasol has not played well over the past two seasons and after recent comments against head coach Mike D'Antoni, the center looked every bit gone from Los Angeles. However, at least for now, that is not happening.
ESPN.com reports that sources close to the team are saying the Lakers after not going to trade Gasol. After weighing their options regarding the center's future, they have opted to keep Gasol after being encouraged by his play over the past three games. The team is also noting that the Lakers are pleased with Gasol's efforts to mend his relationship with D'Antoni after he spoke out against the offensive system in place.
Gasol has looked improved in the past three games as the Lakers wrapped up a road trip going 2-2. He put up 16 points and 10 rebounds against Atlanta. In two games he went 16 of 21, shooting over 43 percent from the field. He and D'Antoni appear to be over their little riff with one another and Gasol is playing better as a result.
"I just think people go through periods of slumps where you question things," D'Antoni said of Gasol, via ESPNLosAngeles.com. "Like I said, we were out of whack. Different things go on. But Pau's an All-Star, he's one of the best players in the league, he worked through it and he's back to normal."
The Lakers had always intended on keeping Gasol for the entire year as he plays out the final season of his current contract. However, his comments ripping the head coach for not giving him the ball enough had the Lakers talking with a few teams about a potential trade. Los Angeles even called New York about the availability of Iman Shumpert, offering up Gasol in return.
Gasol might be with the Lakers for the time being, but anything is possible when the year is over. Kobe Bryant's latest two-year, $48.5 contract extension hurts Gasol's ability to resign with the team for a price that he is worth. Right now, the center is earning $19.3 million and will likely seek out a pay raise or at least a multi-year deal. The denied trade will certainly please Bryant. The veteran has always remained in the center's corner.
The Lakers are trying to maintain as much financial flexibility as possible. Trading away Gasol would certainly help that. Gasol is likely headed elsewhere in 2014 no matter what after the Lakers expressed their plans to load up on several marquee free agents over the next three seasons. Gasol is well-aware the clock is ticking on his time with the Lakers, but right now the center is stressing that he is simply focused on this season and not the future.
"I've been here. There are always a lot of expectations. It's always been one of the positives and the things that I love about this franchise. Obviously it has a downside. When things are not working out, the pot gets a little stirred and things could happen."
