The Los Angeles Lakers have been very committed towards trading power forward Pau Gasol. The 32-year-old has a large contract and the Lakers are looking to bring in more young assets to surround Kobe Bryant.
According to Chad Ford and Marc Stein of ESPN, the Lakers have currently been actively shopping Gasol as they plan to get an established player along with maybe a draft pick in return. Though Los Angeles says a major move is unlikely, they are still trying to get rid of him.
Gasol’s contract is currently at two years for $38 million now and it will be tough for any team to absorb his contract and take the deal. Los Angeles is looking at dealing forward Metta World Peace, but it will be tough:
The Lakers might have an even tougher sell with Metta World Peace, who also has been shopped in order to gauge his trade value.
While the Lakers would be looking for considerably less, such as a late first-round pick or perhaps some cap relief, World Peace’s contract obligations (two years, $15 million remaining on his deal) — combined with a 15 percent trade kicker — might prove too much for another team to bear.
I believe a good deal would be sending Gasol to the Chicago Bulls. In return, the Lakers can get Carlos Boozer and the 29th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. I believe such a deal could work out if Los Angeles is that desperate enough. They have also been rumored with Philadelphia, but it seems the Sixers will probably give up Elton Brand.
We’ll see what the Lakers do as the draft and free agency approaches.
Original Story:
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June 26, 2012
