The Los Angeles Lakers have been hanging around in the west for a good part of this season, but as the team starts to fade back in the absence of Kobe Bryant, the idea of trading Pau Gasol and his expiring contract will come up more and more and while the team has not gotten into many discussions about the center, deals to the San Antonio Spurs or Minnesota Timberwolves as well as the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns could be options.

Gasol was on the trade block earlier in the season before being taken off and reports had the Lakers dealing with the Cleveland Cavaliers to get Andrew Bynum so they could waive him, but instead that deal went down with the Chicago Bulls instead. Gasol has been playing much better this season compared to last year and while Kobe Bryant wants the Lakers to keep him, the team may decide to trade him rather than allow him to go as a free agent next season for nothing. As the trade deadline approaches Gasol's name will continue to come up and if the Lakers fade back even more with their 14-24 record, the drum beat to trade him will only get louder.

The San Antonio Spurs reportedly will be aggressive at the deadline this season and they have been dealing with some injuries with Danny Green and the team also knows that this could be a final run for Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili together and that could motivate them to make a move. Gasol would be a big option in the middle for the team and they know that he understands what it takes to win a championship.

The trade for Kevin Love is not anything realistic, but reports have the Timberwolves star looking towards LA in 2015 and the two sides could get things started early in the offseason. The Mavericks and the Suns are looking to get into the playoffs this season in the West and dealing for Gasol could be an option.