Lakers Rumors: Pau Gasol Still Uncertain About L.A. Future

By | June 22, 2012|

After Lakers Executive VP Jim Buss stated that the team wasn’t working on any major changes, many fans began to wonder if the constant trade speculation surrounding Pau Gasol was nothing more than manufactured rumors. But Buss’ statement hasn’t convinced Gasol that he will still be a Laker next season.

The 7-foot forward stated in an interview with Marca.com that Buss’ declaration doesn’t have him convinced.

Note: The quote has been translated from Spanish to English.

“I’m happy about what Jim Buss said, but I don’t think that’s a guarantee [that I won't get traded]“.

In typical Pau fashion, the consummate professional once again keeps his head held high and gives a politically correct response. There’s no question that all these rumors have impacted Gasol both on and off the court over the past season, but he’s remained professional and continued to show up for work each day.

Whether or not the Lakers make a big move this off-season is obviously yet to be seen, but if they do intend to make a splash in the trade market Gasol will most likely be the first piece to be moved.

Gasol is currently preparing for the London Olympics, where he will represent his home country of Spain on the basketball court.

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Daniel Buerge

Daniel is the editor-in-chief for Lakers Nation. He's always doing his best to keep you informed and entertained. Follow Daniel on Twitter - @DanielBuerge_LA.

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  • LAKERGUY

    It is a great thing that he is uncertain about his future. He is about 50% of the reason why we lost two consecutive semi finals. He deserves to be gone. This is what I would do if I was the GM and the owner.

    Move 1- Trade Matt Barnes, Pau Gasol,  Troy Murphy for Andre Igoudala and the 15th pick 
    Reason- This is actually a decent trade for both parties. The Lakers get to move up in the draft and they get a solid forward who has athleticism, defense, and streaky shooting.

    Move 2- Draft Perry Jones III
    Reason- Jones is one of those players that is too good to pass up. He is very versatile and has a lot of upside.

    Move 3- Draft Quincy Acy at 60th pick and call up Zack Andrews from D League.
    Reason- They can rebound, they are athletic, and they hustle.

    Move 4- Trade Steve Blake and Josh McRoberts for Lamar Odom
    Reason- Lamar Odom is very versatile and can shoot, defend, pass, and rebound.

    Move 5- Sign Jameer Nelson with Lamar Odom Trade Exception
    Reason- Jameer Nelson is good enough to do the things we need him to do like pass, shoot , and penetrate. Although we can’t get Deron Williams because  Buss said we are not aiming for major trades, this is a good move.

    Move 6-  Sign Brandon Roy to a Mid Level Exception 
    Reason- Roy is a great player and is healthy enough to come back. He would be an excellent sixth man for us.

    Move 7- Resign Hill, Sessions, Morris, and Ebanks.
    Reason- They are the future and still haven’t reached their primes yet. When given playing time, they are really effective.

    This is a real championship squad with versatility. 

    Lineup View
    Starters
    pg Jameer Nelson
    sg Kobe Bryant
    sf Andre Igoudala
    pf Perry Jones
    c Andrew Bynum

    Bench
    pg  Ramon Sessions/ Darius Morris
    sg Brandon Roy/ Andrew Goudelock
    sf Metta w. Peace/ Devin Ebanks
    pf Lamar Odom/ Zack Andrews
    c Jordan Hill/ Quincy Acy

    • Allanburrrowes

      Very well thought out but I would put odom in the starting like upper the rookie
      Come
      Off the bench
      Build dooms confidence back up

    • Lakersfan1000

      Nice plan but does Philly have the cap to pull off that trade

  • LakerRob

    Pau needs to stay, He needs to be the #2 guy on the laker not Bynum.  People forget that the reason we WON 2 titles was because of Pau’s acquisition.  In BOTH champion ships Pau was the #2 guy.  Bynum was not present for the first title, and barely present for the second.  Mike Brown’s system is screwed up and doesn’t take advantage of Pau Gasol’s talent.

  • flashthundergod

    I’d rather trade bynum for the 1st pick in the draft. gasol is a class act and davis can learn a lot from him. bynum is an pain in the neck diva. if the lakers amnesty mwp maybe we can have cap space for dwill. resign hill, morris and ebanks. trade blake and mcbob and walton’s trade exception to minnesota for beasley and future draft pick… sign roy for mini-mid-level and camby for vet minimum then re-acquire odom in december…  

    the lakers would look like this…
    c – gasol
    pf – davis
    sf – beasley
    sg – kobe
    pg – dwill

    for reserve…
    c – camby
    pf/c – hill
    pf – odom
    sf – ebanks
    sg – roy
    sg/pg – goudelock
    pg – morris

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