Is Gasol In or Out?

That is the question that has been on the mind of a number of LA Lakers fans. Even with a knee injury, Pau Gasol has always been rumored to be thinking of jumping to another team; either that, or being traded to a new one. These rumors have been in persistence since they first came about during the last regular season. It does not help that Gasol seems to be at odds with Mike D’ Antoni’s offence tactic. Making the matters worst is Gasol’s tendinitis which has caused him to miss two games in a row now. Because of the condition of his knee, there have been a number of team managers who have wondered if his recent lackluster performance has something to do with this.

Pau Gasol’s first entry into the world of NBA was when he joined the Atlanta Hawks during the 2001 NBA draft. He was, however, traded to the Memphis Grizzlies where he went on to secure the Rookie of the Year award. To date, his record at the Memphis Grizzlies for the most number of field goals made and attempted, the longest minutes of play, the greatest number of free throws made and attempted, and the most number of blocked shots, among others.

One of the many NBA teams that have tried to get Pau Gasol is the Minnesota Timberwolves. If in the past the team management has been mum about trading player for Pau Gasol, it was a different story early part of this month. Team President David Kahn had admitted that he has, at one point, tried to get Gasol on his team roster. That “point” was last June.

The Toronto Raptors is another team that is rumored to be after the famed Spaniard player. If one is to believe the rumor mills, players Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon and Linas Kleiza as a package just so they could get their hands on Pau Gasol.

One thing is for sure, based on what the Lakers are saying, Gasol might continue to still be with the team as the members are waiting for Steve Nash to return to the team before they could make a decision on what to do with the current roster. Until then, there is very little chance that Gasol would be traded of.

Now, this would spell a problem. If the Lakers do let go of Gasol, other teams might see that as a sign that Gasol’s knee has definitely taken the best of him. If that is the case, other teams might no longer be willing to trade valuable players for one who might perform subpar due to an injured knee. Not trading Gasol, on the other hand, would mean that the Lakers are more than willing carrying an extra baggage from whom they get very little of.

You can catch the LA Lakers during their game against the New York Knicks this Christmas at the Staples Center when you get your Los Angeles Lakers tickets from Ticket Broker.