According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Phoenix Suns have become serious suitors for Pau Gasol:
Sources told ESPN.com that the Suns, among the options being weighed as part of their well-chronicled desire to acquire an established player as they make an unexpected playoff push this season, have been exploring the feasibility of trading for the Lakers' four-time All-Star.
Stein goes on to explain how this fantasy in the desert could become a reality for both franchises:
One option for the Suns, by virtue of their $5.6 million in available salary-cap space, is swapping the expiring contract of injured big man Emeka Okafor for Gasol, even though Okafor's $14.5 million salary this season falls well shy of Gasol's $19.3 million.
In theory, the trade makes sense for both parties, but unfortunately for L.A., recent events have shut down communication between the two sides.
According to Mike Bresnahan of LATimes.com, the Suns have put a halt on discussions surrounding Gasol. The fact that the 33-year-old is out for two weeks, per Mark Medina of the LA Daily News, doesn't help, but as Bresnahan reports, it's L.A.'s asking price that is the bigger issue.
If you remember back to earlier this season, L.A. was in a similar stalemate with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Before the Cavs bid adieu to Bynum's contract, in exchange for Luol Deng, Cleveland engaged in discussions with the Lakers surrounding Gasol.
The Cavaliers needed to swap their center and his contract for someone who could be productive in the playoffs, and despite Gasol's recent tendency to get hurt, he fit the bill.
As it turned out, the Lakers were asking for more than just cap flexibi...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
