The February trade deadline is quickly approaching and several teams not in contention for the postseason after looking to trade off stars with expiring contracts. The Los Angeles Lakers certainly fit that description as their season continues to free fall. In the coming weeks many expect center Pau Gasol to be traded as the team remains patient with the market.
The Latino Post reports the Lakers are beginning to aggressively seek a trade for Gasol that would include Philadelphia 76ers' Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes. Getting rid of the four-time All-Star would certainly be a big hit to the Lakers lineup considering he is thriving in the absence of Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, but there is little belief that Gasol intends to remain with the Lakers so the team could make a trade instead of letting him walk away for nothing.
While teams ranging from the Boston Celtics to the Charlotte Bobcats are all options for Los Angeles, Philadelphia appears to be the best choice. The 76ers are stocked with young talent and draft picks. They are looking to gain a high draft status so trading away Turner and Hawes could certainly help in that effort. Bleacher Report confirms that Philadelphia has their sights set on the draft and Turner and Hawes would be solid additions to the Lakers lineup.
Turner will be a free agent at the end of the season. He is averaging 18.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game this season. Hawes is playing solid minutes at center, averaging 8.7 rebounds per game on top of his 14.1 points. Hawes would fill the Gasol void and Evans wold be a solid small forward addition.
The Lakers would have to add something in the trade to make this worthwhile for Philadelphia. Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports that some are concerned Gasol's trade value has drop considerably. He writes that most deals involving the center for a quality player would be unrealistic unless Los Angeles includes draft picks or another asset. That could be the issue considering this year's draft class is very deep and the Lakers might be aiming to stockpile picks.
All of this is mere speculation. The Lakers are combing through the market for potential trade packages, but do not expect them to make a decision anytime soon. Los Angeles will be patient when it comes to the center.
