There is no escaping the Gasol rumor mill. His status with the Los Angeles Lakers has essentially been day-to-day since the botched Chris Paul trade in 2011. Then, just when you think he's safe because Dwight Howard left and he's on an expiring contract, tradition strikes.
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein, the Lakers are, once again, mulling over trading Gasol. This rumor drops just after Gasol expressed dissatisfaction for how he's used in the Lakers offense.
"The fact that I'm not getting the ball in the post affects directly my aggressiveness," he said, via Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times. "When I'm not getting the ball where I want to, where I'm most effective, where I can bang guys and utilize my skill, that affects my aggressiveness and overall intensity."
Gasol's pact comes off the books this summer, and with the Lakers set to have plenty of cap space, they don't have to trade him. But that doesn't mean they won't. This could be the year they finally do it—the year the Lakers actually move Gasol.
If they can find the right deal, one that allows them to win now without sacrificing financial flexibility in the near future, prepare for general manager Mitch Kupchak to pounce.
*All stats used courtesy of Basketball-Reference and all salary information obtained from ShamSports.com unless otherwise noted.
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
