Pau Gasol talks with Los Angeles Lakers GM: Hints at an exit from the team – NBA Update
After crashing out of the playoffs in an uninspiring fashion, the Los Angeles Lakers seem destined to part ways with their Spanish power forward, Pau Gasol.
Even though Gasol is not sure at the moment whether he is going to stay or be traded in the off-season, however the way things are going, it can be safely assumed that he is going out of Hollywood.
Gasol recently has an interaction with the Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak and Head Coach Mike Brown regarding his future. While speaking to the media official after the meeting, Gasol echoed a tone of uncertainty,
“I wish I could have clarification right now, they can’t give it to me. They had to talk to management. We didn’t talk too much about the future. We talked about this year. We talked about how things went. It was really positive.”
– Gasol said
The Spanish big added that he is not at all worried about what is going to happen as he has had similar issues in the past. Not too far back, the Lakers tried to trade him in an attempt to bring All Star point guard Chris Paul.
But that trade was shut down by Commissioner David Stern and Gasol stayed where he is at the moment.
He also understood the fact that decisions like this cannot be made in the spur of a moment and it takes time as both parties need to assess their options very carefully.
As the current situation stands, there is no verdict regarding his future either by the player’s representatives or by the Lakers management.
Kupchak who also spoke to the media officials after meeting with Gasol, had an uncertain tone as well, and pointed out that the nixed CP3 might have created a trust barrier between the front office and Gasol;
“He’s the consummate teammate, the consummate professional. But what took place is hard for a player to deal with, and I’m sure there’s a little bit of trust that’s not quite the same.” – Kupchak said
If the Lakers do opt to trade him, they would want something huge in return, given the amount of talent they are giving away. There are chances that Kupchak may want to exchange Pau for Deron Williams of the Brooklyn Nets. That
however is still a rumour and no official comment has been made.
Amid all the uncertainties surrounding the future of Pau Gasol, the only thing which is clear is that the Lakers have made no statement or a gesture that Gasol will stay put. Even Gasol has not shown any desperation to remain a
part of the team and with Kupchak openly saying that big changes are coming, Gasol might be the first on the way out.
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