According to a report from the Associated Press, the Timberwolves are doing all they can to add Gasol to their suddenly strong nucleus in order to compete right away.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are pulling out all the stops in an effort to land Pau Gasol.
If they have to part with the highest draft choice in franchise history after just one season, the Wolves appear ready to do it.
That much became clear leading up to the NBA draft on Thursday, when Minnesota offered Derrick Williams to the Charlotte Bobcats for the No. 2 pick as a vehicle to help them land Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers, two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press.
While the Timberwolves will clearly have to modify any offer they make the Lakers, since the draft has now come and gone with no movement on their part, the Lakers could do a lot worse than building a package around Derrick Williams.
Williams was arguably the most-hyped prospect in the 2011 NBA draft. He was coming off a fantastic season at Arizona, where he led the Wildcats to the Elite 8. His combination of size, length, versatility and athleticism made him a potential star.
His first season in Minnesota was not the fairy tale that anyone would have hoped for, with just 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, but there were positive signs and good games along the way.
Plus, Williams is just 21 years old. He has plenty of time to get better, as long as he is put in a situation where he can succeed.
The Lakers give him the opportunity that he needs. They have the superstar already in place, as well as the center who ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
