Lakers Rumors: Why Gasol to Timberwolves Deal Will Never Happen

A trade involving Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers to the Minnesota Timberwolves has been loosely discussed during the 2012-13 season, but it's a deal that will never happen.

According to Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times, Gasol has been linked to the Wolves this season because of his personal relationship with point guard Ricky Rubio, however, that isn't even close to enough to get a deal done.

Rubio has nothing but high praise for the veteran big man. Here is what he had to say, per Pincus' piece:

"[Gasol] proved to the league he is one of the best," Rubio told reporters in Minneapolis. "He can pass. He can shoot. He can rebound. He can do a lot of things. I think if you use him in the right way, he is a top player in this league. If they don't want him, we are more than welcome to get him."

And with the way things are going for Gasol in Los Angeles, he might be more than welcome to join the Timberwolves. His anger with the Lakers stems from his new role as a bench player for head coach Mike D'Antoni, and it's a change that Gasol has not embraced.

In a separate piece by Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times, Gasol expressed his frustrations after the team's win over the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday night:

Already bothered by Coach Mike D'Antoni's decision to have him come off the bench behind Earl Clark, Gasol also sat the fourth quarter as the Hornets made a late run.

When D'Antoni rushed his starters back in to staunch the bleeding, Gasol just sat and watched.

"It's a challenge," Gasol said. "I'm challenged every day to keep my calm and keep my peace and not let my emotions take over my words."

No matter how upset Gasol is and how much Rubio lobbies for him to come to Minnesota, it won't make a bit of difference in the grand scheme of a Lakers-Timberwolves trade.



Minnesota could certainly use Gasol'...

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