Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol not fretting over future – NBA Update
Pau Gasol has said that he isn’t overly perturbed with the speculation around his future. The power forward has come under increasing criticism amid speculation that the Los Angeles Lakers want him gone.
The fact that Pau looked like a weak link in the Lakers armour during the series against Oklahoma City Thunder doesn’t help his case. Los Angeles lost the series in 5 games and Kobe Bryant even singled out Gasol for criticism after game 4.
Pau has weathered the storm so far and reiterated in his exit interview that he isn’t bothered too much about the situation. Gasol said he would be happy to stay at the club, but if they trade him than that’s OK too.
"I won't really worry too much about it," Gasol said. "It's something that I've been through already this year so if something does happen, it does and if it doesn't, I'll be happy to be back next training camp ready to go."
Los Angeles of course tried to offload Gasol at the start of the season, alongside Lamar Odom, when they were pursuing Chris Paul. The NBA though intervened and killed the trade, with Odom instead going to the Dallas Mavericks and Paul ending up at the Los Angeles Clippers.
Gasol remained in Los Angeles but the fact that they had tried to send him away still looms large in the background. Pau also has $38 million on his contract for the next 2 years with Los Angeles, another factor that could push Los Angeles to dump him.
Therefore the speculation persists. Gasol would like the franchise to make its position clear, but he also accepts that they cannot do that at the time.
"I wish I could have clarification, but they can't give it to me right now," Gasol said. "I think management still has to talk to ownership to see what direction this team will be going next year."
Therefore, Pau is focusing on the London Olympics where he will be hunting for the Gold Medal with Spain. The forward said he is looking forward to the games.
"I'd love to get another shot at the gold against Kobe and the USA team or somebody else," Gasol said. "Obviously, the gold medal is our goal and we'll do our best to try to win it."
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