Lakers Rumors: LA Right to Keep Injured Pau Gasol Off Trade Block

The Los Angeles Lakers shouldn't make any more rash decisions despite their slow start. Trading Pau Gasol, who's no stranger to rumors even though he's been one of the team's best players over the past five years, would definitely fall into that category.

It appears the front office agrees, at least for the time being. Sources tell Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN that two teams have contacted the Lakers with interest in the talented power forward, but they have been told he's not available.

Of course, the Lakers' first rash decision was letting head coach Mike Brown go after just five games. They were 1-4 when they let him go and currently sit at 9-12, showing the quick hook didn't lead to the immediate turnaround they were hoping for.



That's because the Lakers are dealing with so many issues right now.

Normally, the top priority would be get all of the offseason acquisitions on the same page. But that hasn't even been possible because Steve Nash has been out with a leg injury and Dwight Howard is just getting back to full strength after back issues.

Gasol is dealing with injury problems of his own. He's been sidelined for the past four games with knee tendinitis. While Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register reports Gasol might be available for Tuesday night's game, no final decision has been made.

When you combine the injury woes with Mike D'Antoni working to implement his system, it's no surprise the results have failed to live up to the offseason hype.

It's also why the Lakers are smart to hold onto Gasol. The front office put a lot of work into the roster during the offseason, and there's no reason to break it up yet.

The trade deadline is still more than two months away. Assuming the Lakers suffer no further setbacks in the injury category, they should have a lineup working at full capacity by the time the calendar turns to 2013–at the latest. Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers