5 Most Tradeable Lakers Assets

1. Pau Gasol

Jan 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao (17) fouls Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol (16) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Cleveland Cavaliers won 120-118. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Spaniard has been involved in more trade talks than any other player in the league over the last three or four seasons. He’s been apart of numerous nearly finished trades (most recently with Cleveland) and a vetoed trade. Yet still, he goes night in and night out playing his hardest. His stats show the great seasons he’s having, scoring 18.3 points per outing with 11.3 rebounds a night (career high) and still dishing just under four assists a game. When healthy, he’s showing he still has much life left in his legs.

The problem with Gasol is matching contracts. His massive $19.2 million contract is very hard to move, with Andrew Bynum being likely their best chance to get a deal done. Few players match Gasol’s contract one-for-one, necessitating a multi-player deal. The Lakers are clearly set on the idea of getting a young prospect in return for Gasol. They’d obviously be content receiving a pick in compensation, but finding a suitor willing to do so will be the toughest challenge.