The Chicago Bulls are supposedly shopping ex-Lakers center, Pau Gasol
With just about a day left until the NBA trade deadline, rumors around the league are beginning to ramp up. Though the Lakers seem distant from any trade talks, with players constantly being added and subtracted from the trading block, anything can happen at this point.
One of the latest players to be added to said block is former Lakers center, Pau Gasol, who is no stranger to having his name included in trade talks.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the decision to move Gasol revolves around his ability to opt out of his contract this season and become an unrestricted free agent. Translation, the Bulls don’t want to make the same mistake the Lakers did and lose Gasol for nothing.
Per Woj,
"The Chicago Bulls are aggressively shopping All-Star forward Pau Gasol, league sources told The Vertical.Gasol, 35, can opt out of his contract this summer and become an unrestricted free agent, and Bulls general manager Gar Forman seems determined to move him before Thursday’s trade deadline with the hope of bringing back value.Gasol is expected to decline the player option on the $7.4 million owed him in 2016-17.Gasol is averaging 17 points and 10.9 rebounds for the struggling Bulls."
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What the Bulls would want back specifically for the 35 year old big man remains to be specified, but similar to most cases with playoff teams, veteran presence for the playoff push seems most likely.
The Lakers aren’t currently engaged with the Bulls publicly, but a trade would make sense for LA in the fact that Gasol could once again anchor the paint for the Purple and Gold behind young Julius Randle, provide veteran guidance and perhaps finish his storied career with the organization.
If Metta World Peace, the man responsible for the Malice at the Palace, could return to the Lakers after being amnestied by them, anything is possible.
While simply signing Gasol in the off season is also a possibility, the allure of playing alongside Kobe Bryant in his last games would likely make a playing for LA more a lot more enjoyable.
Next: The Lakers Should Take Advantage of Orlando's Fire Sale
Be sure to tune back into Lake Show Life for more Lakers news, especially with the rapidly approaching trade deadline.