The Pau Gasol sweepstakes may have ended, and we can all be thankful for that.
Don't get things twisted—Pau Gasol is not the man he used to be and not nearly the same superstar that came over from Memphis.
Whether it's a lost step or getting lost in an offense that demands he play the perimeter, there is a lot left to be desired from the Spanish star.
Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld offers some insight into the trade intentions of the LA Lakers.
League sources say the Lakers are reluctant to subtract from their roster, especially if it involved core pieces like Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol. Sources say the Lakers’ goal seems to be to try and pry lose a solid player either at point guard or at small forward using their exception.
The rampant rumors over the last few months have been that Gasol could be on the way out. It seems far more likely the Lakers hold on to one of the best players as they move to the trade deadline.
There is plenty to be had in the form of cheap talent. The Lakers were present at a recent Gilbert Arenas workout. Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reports Arenas looked fit and explosive, but the Lakers were not about to make any sudden moves for the former superstar.
Kyler also says:
There is no time table for the Lakers to make a decision, but there is a belief that the Lakers want to try to make changes internally before exploring major roster changes via trades.
The Lakers have been extremely active in gauging the trade marketplace, mainly because of the $8.9 million Traded Player Exception the team holds from the Lamar Odom deal with Dallas.
The Lakers could ease the burden of a financially bogged down franchise. There was a Mark Medina article in the Los Angeles Times a couple weeks ago that broke down the benefits of Ramon Sessions over Gilbert Arenas.
With Sessions having filled in nicely for an injured Kyrie Irving, you have to assume the affection for the guard is still there.
The point is the Lakers have a star forward that may have lost a step, but is still among the best and most versatile big men in the game.
You don't just send those kinds of players packing for bit players. Unless the Lakers can land a marquee name, which seems unlikely, it's time to lock up Gasol and go with a far less expensive solution in Arenas or Sessions.
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