Laker News: Pau Gasol remains with Lakers as NBA trade deadline passes

[insidehoops]

The Phoenix Suns wanted Gasol, but he didn't necessarily want them, declining to say through his representatives that he would stay with them beyond the next few months if he were traded. So Gasol becomes a free agent in July, where he won't get the $19.3 million he makes now but might still command decent money from the Lakers ... or someone else.

Gasol has been with the Lakers since February 2008 and thrown into numerous trade scenarios since the infamous vetoed trade involving Chris Paul in December 2011.

-- LA Times blog

[DKLaker]

The Phoenix Suns wanted Gasol, but he didn't necessarily want them, declining to say through his representatives that he would stay with them beyond the next few months if he were traded. So Gasol becomes a free agent in July, where he won't get the $19.3 million he makes now but might still command decent money from the Lakers ... or someone else.

Gasol has been with the Lakers since February 2008 and thrown into numerous trade scenarios since the infamous vetoed trade involving Chris Paul in December 2011.

-- LA Times blog

[LA.MJ&KB#1]

I wanted something in return for Pau, he better take a pay-cut if he stays with LA next year.

[dd24]

I wanted something in return for Pau, he better take a pay-cut if he stays with LA next year.

It would've been nice to move him and get a draft pick. I'm fine with letting him walk at this point. If the Lakers can use that cap space to eventually go after a guy like Kevin Love it's worth it.

[gts]

I wanted something in return for Pau, he better take a pay-cut if he stays with LA next year.

If he's a Laker next year he'll have taken a huge paycut

[DKLaker]

If he's a Laker next year he'll have taken a huge paycut

I'm afraid that Jimmy will over pay him to stay
I really hope Pau leaves for his own good.
I smell disaster coming.

[dd24]

I'm afraid that Jimmy will over pay him to stay
I really hope Pau leaves for his own good.
I smell disaster coming.

I think it depends on the draft some too. If the Lakers end up with a guy like Embiid, they may let Pau go elsewhere. If they draft someone like Randle, Smart, Exum, Wiggins, or Parker they'll need a big man like Pau still so they would probably be interested in keeping him around. I think the flip side of things is Pau has been involved in a ton of trade rumors with the Lakers (and even traded once....) and that might not sit well with him. He might be looking forward to going to another team.

[crisoner]

Well.....

How much would you guys want Pau for???
I'd like to keep him for the right price.
Dosent Kobe's contract now make you cringe a lil???

[DKLaker]

Well.....

How much would you guys want Pau for???
I'd like to keep him for the right price.
Dosent Kobe's contract now make you cringe a lil???

If 'Antoni is the coach.....does it make sense to keep Pau at any price???
Bad for 'Antoni.....Worse for Pau, the constant trade rumors are like your wife filing for divorce every month

[dd24]

If 'Antoni is the coach.....does it make sense to keep Pau at any price???
Bad for 'Antoni.....Worse for Pau, the constant trade rumors are like your wife filing for divorce every month

Yeah, I think Pau probably wants out. He's been saying the right things, but deep down I think this franchise has really upset him.

[Mgamer20o0]

Well.....

How much would you guys want Pau for???
I'd like to keep him for the right price.
Dosent Kobe's contract now make you cringe a lil???

i was cringing when he signed it. once again signing someone too early and burns them.

i dont see them wining anything with him right now. i think its going to be a couple years before they can be winners again. might as well let him walk to save the money and open up options later. unless they can get him super cheap might as well let him walk.

[dd24]

At least Kobe's contract drops off the books when Durant is a FA. Outside of that I think the world was shocked with that one.

[longtime lurker]

Biggest mistake not moving Pau. Even getting a 1st round pick and a 2nd round pick. I understand not giving him away but now they'll lose him for nothing long as D'Antoni is coach.

[dd24]

I think Phoenix would've gave up a 1st rounder. I think what happened was they knew Pau wouldn't stay so for them they didn't want to give up an asset for nothing either. As for the rest of the NBA, there's not a lot of teams that could take that contract on. Plus they probably knew he's going to walk from LA anyhow.

[Lakers_Kobe_Fan]

I think it depends on the draft some too. If the Lakers end up with a guy like Embiid, they may let Pau go elsewhere. If they draft someone like Randle, Smart, Exum, Wiggins, or Parker they'll need a big man like Pau still so they would probably be interested in keeping him around. I think the flip side of things is Pau has been involved in a ton of trade rumors with the Lakers (and even traded once....) and that might not sit well with him. He might be looking forward to going to another team.

thats the only guy with whom I would like to pair Pau if possible and if takes a huge pay cut. even then I will think....

Pau needs a defensive beast to clean up his old a$$ no defense BS

for now i would go with:

Embiid/sacre/Amir Johnson
Melo/ Kelly/boozer - after bulls amnesty him. we can place a big on him
Ariza - MLE/Nick Young/X
Kobe/Meeks/brooks
farmar/marshall/bezmore

or

Amir Johnson/J Hill/sacre
Melo/ Kelly/boozer - after bulls amnesty him. we can place a big on him
Ariza - MLE/Nick Young/X
Kobe/Meeks/bezmore
Exum/farmer/marshall

both scenario's they can compete