The Los Angeles Lakers are only a few weeks into the NBA off-season, but the trade rumors and free agent speculation has already begun to heat up with Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom both making waves in the City of Angels.
The most recent trade rumor involving Gasol has the two-time NBA champion asking to be traded to the Chicago Bulls. With Gasol assuming that he’ll be dealt before next season after getting no assurance from the Lakers’ front office whether or not they intend to keep him in Los Angeles, the trade speculation surrounding the Spanish forward is at an all-time high with all sorts of different trade scenarios being talked about.
After hearing about his supposed trade demand to the Bulls, Gasol denied the report of wanting to play in Chicago via Mark Medina of the L.A. Times:
“I don’t know where that came from,” Gasol said. “It’s pointless to really worry about it. I’m totally cool with it, whatever they say. The stories will appear and then disappear on something that does or doesn’t happen again. It sucks to be in that position, but it is what it is.”
These endless trade rumors involving Gasol will continue throughout the off-season for the Lakers with GM Mitch Kupchak fielding different offers and exploring options in terms of what the team can get in return for the 32-year-old forward.
Along with being linked with the Bulls, Gasol has also been mentioned in potential trades with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets. With the team looking to get younger, rumor has it that the Lakers might consider making a deal for perennial All-Star point guard Deron Williams (sign-and-trade) or defensive-minded small forward Andre Igoudala.
There’s no telling what direction the Lakers will going in during the off-season in terms of trade and free agent signings, but it is a distinct possibility that a blockbuster deal might be on the horizon with Gasol headed elsewhere.
