NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers, Suns trade talks in holding pattern

Dec 23, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol (16) is guarded in the first half by Phoenix Suns forward Miles Plumlee (22) at US Airways Center. The Suns won 117-90. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Trade talks and speculation escalated quickly in the 24 hours following Sunday night’s rumor that Phoenix was discussing internally about trading for big man Pau Gasol. Starting from internal discussions and escalating to a near complete deal, the talks have no reached a holding point.

According to Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein of ESPN, the Suns have put negotiations on hold for the time being as they’re interested to see how Gasol looks upon recovery of his hamstring injury. Gasol posted to his Instagram account last night that he received a PRP injection.

While the Lakers are insistent on receiving either a young player or draft picks back in return for Gasol, Phoenix offers something many others teams can’t: cap relief. LA will have the opportunity to get under the luxury tax thresh hold. The Gasol-for-Emeka Okafor game itself wouldn’t bring the Lakers under the limit, but it’d pull them within $3 million, which is one more small trade away from getting under the limit.

As it stands, while both sides are interested in what the other has to offer, it’ll likely be next week – Pau’s return – before the talks move to the next stage.