Lakers Rumors: Phil Jackson pursing Pau Gasol

facebooktwitterreddit

In a move that would not surprise anyone, Phil Jackson is rumored to be courting his former player and now free agent Pau Gasol to join the Knicks, a move that would not be easy under the Knicks current salary cap restrictions.

"Knicks president Phil Jackson is trying to sell Lakers free-agent power forward Pau Gasol on the proximity of the United Nations, playing with Carmelo Anthony and extending his career in the triangle offense.As Jackson awaits official word from Anthony, he’s trying to coax the 7-foot Spaniard to forget about the money and be part of the rich fabric of New York.A source told The Post new Knicks point guard Jose Calderon also has texted his countryman/friend Gasol several times about joining him in New York.–Marc Berman"

For the Knicks to get Gasol to fit under their salary cap, the Spaniard would either need to sign for the veteran’s minimum or sign a deal with the Lakers an be subsequently traded to the Knicks, the far more likely prospect.

The issue with any sort of trade is the Knicks don’t quite have a plethora of good assets. In fact, they essentially have two assets: Tim Hardaway Jr. and Iman Shumpert. Depending on how strongly Jackson and new coach Derek Fisher want to run the triangle offense could determine what they’re willing to give up for Gasol.