Organizations do not take too kindly when players complain. Pau Gasol could be learning that lesson the hard way. The center's relationship with head coach Mike D'Antoni has been on the rocks ever since Dwight Howard was on the team and the two failed to co-exist. This is the second year in a row that Gasol's numbers are dangerously low and after blaming it on the offensive system, the Lakers are ready to make a trade.
ESPNLosAngeles.com is reporting the Lakers are currently shopping Gasol around as he continues to produce one of the worst seasons of his career. While the Lakers do actually prefer to keep the All-Star on the team, his recent comments regarding the head coach have officials thinking otherwise.
"The fact that I'm not getting the ball in the post affects directly my aggressiveness," Gasol said, via the Los Angeles Times. "When I'm not getting the ball where I want to, where I'm most effective, where I can bang guys and utilize my skill, that affects my aggressiveness and overall intensity. ...What do you think? I'm not going to say anything, but it's easy to see."
Gasol is putting up just 14.4 points per game and 9.4 rebounds, career-lows in both categories. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, so a trade now would make sense. D'Antoni simply told Gasol that he needs to play harder in order to improve his numbers.
The Lakers are still mulling over options of what to do with the center. His future has been cloudy from the start ever since Kobe Bryant signed a two-year, $48.5 million contract, shrinking the cap space for Gasol. The center is currently set to earn $19.3 million in his final year. The Lakers want the most financial flexibility they can have and dumping Gasol's deal would certainly help.
So who would be interested in the big man? The New York Knicks are the first team to pop up. Tyson Chandler is currently sitting out after fracturing his fibula. The team could offer him up since he is a cheaper option that Gasol at $28.7 million over the next two years. The Chicago Bulls could make a play for him in exchange for Carlos Boozer who is owed $32.1 million over the next two years.
Gasol has already toyed with the idea of not returning to the Lakers following the end of the season. He told the Los Angeles Times that a return to Memphis where he played a good portion of his career would be intriguing. His brother is currently an emerging star there. All signs point to Gasol not wearing purple and gold in 2014, but that reality could happen sooner than expected.
