The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t trade Pau Gasol before the 2012 NBA Draft, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying.
After weeks of speculation and countless rumors, L.A. brass ultimately resisted the urge to trade its talented, multiple-time All-Star for pennies on the dollar. However, should fans take anything away from the fact that Gasol remained in purple and gold through Thursday night?
Absolutely, positively not.
Less than eight hours after the draft wrapped, here is the latest Gasol trade gossip via the good folks at Associated Press:
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.
The Timberwolves’ motivation for trying to land Gasol is clear. He’d be a perfect piece to add alongside the likes of Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio. What they could actually offer L.A., however, is a whole different story. Beyond just their general lack of assets, now that they don’t have a draft pick bargaining chip to work with, the likelihood of Minny being able to swing something becomes even slimmer.
Still, if there is one thing to take away from this it’s that the offers for Gasol will be there. A lot of teams need a talented, skilled four with championship pedigree. If the Lakers are truly desperate to give away their second or third best player â€" they’ll be able to do so.
Whether they should or not, though, is a very different question.
Get more Lakers news and rumors on Twitter: @agroberman
(Kudos HuffPo)
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