The Suns are exploring a trade to acquire Pau Gasol

[crownontherocks]

The Suns are exploring a trade to acquire Pau Gasol,
according to ESPN.com.

[barefacedmonk]

Okafor and picks will definitely be involved. I hope Suns don't give up Alex Len.

[barefacedmonk]

Here is the LINK to the article.

[hpantazo]

darn it! There goes one potentially great outlet for Bass and Green.

[Cman]

darn it! There goes one potentially great outlet for Bass and Green.

Yep. But Houston is another possible trading partner.

[Endless Paradise]

Okafor and picks will definitely be involved. I hope Suns don't give up Alex Len.

The Suns are 29-18 through their own merit - and this is without Bledsoe.  The Suns don't have much of any reason to surrender any of their assets outside of draft picks just for Gasol; they're doing perfectly fine without him.  Not to mention, his contract is expiring, he's 33 years old with a lot of mileage, he's got an injury history, and there's no guarantee he'd stay in Phoenix past this season, so why compromise their future by getting rid of their prospects for what could amount to nothing more than a rental?

It'll probably end up really similar to the Deng trade: Okafor, conditional first-round pick, and maybe a second-round pick or two for Gasol.

[Ogaju]

because teams ALWAYS rescue the Lakers, ALWAYS!!!!

[Smitty77]

I would think that the Lakers might demand Bledsoe, as they are said to be HOT on his trail win his contract expires.

I doubt LA lets Gasol go for just Okafor and picks.  I really doubt that.  They HAVE to get pieces for Kobe to compete over the next 2+ years.  Draft picks usually don't make you a contender in two years time.

Smitty77

[ssspence]

darn it! There goes one potentially great outlet for Bass and Green.

The Suns are unlikely to trade for Bass, and have never been a realistic trade partner for Green. McD is looking for vets on short contracts, not long ones.

[LooseCannon]

I would think that the Lakers might demand Bledsoe, as they are said to be HOT on his trail win his contract expires.

I doubt LA lets Gasol go for just Okafor and picks.  I really doubt that.  They HAVE to get pieces for Kobe to compete over the next 2+ years.  Draft picks usually don't make you a contender in two years time.

They will have enough cap space where they could trade Gasol for draft picks, bring back Gasol in the summer for whatever they would have re-signed him for anyways, and still have the cap space to chase after a good free agent, so they could basically be where they are if they don't do any trade, plus draft picks.

Or maybe they offer one of the ETO guys a max contract and don't bring back Gasol unless he agrees to a deal which allows that.

[Endless Paradise]

I would think that the Lakers might demand Bledsoe, as they are said to be HOT on his trail win his contract expires.

I doubt LA lets Gasol go for just Okafor and picks.  I really doubt that.  They HAVE to get pieces for Kobe to compete over the next 2+ years.  Draft picks usually don't make you a contender in two years time.

Smitty77

He makes just under $20 million, is 33, and has an expiring contract: the Lakers are not going to get a return much better than financial relief and draft picks.  The teams that would a) be interested in Gasol and b) have the cap space to absorb his contract aren't going to surrender any serious pieces for him.

That's said, they're in Los Angeles - they don't need to acquire the players they need through trade.  They're a premier free agent destination.

[csfansince60s]

Okafor and picks will definitely be involved. I hope Suns don't give up Alex Len.

Thinking the same thing. Gasol for Okafor, Len and Goodwin works.

Really hope that doesn't happen, but if the Suns can do it without picks involved that might be preferable to them.

God, I hate those Fakers.

[Smitty77]

I would think that the Lakers might demand Bledsoe, as they are said to be HOT on his trail win his contract expires.

I doubt LA lets Gasol go for just Okafor and picks.  I really doubt that.  They HAVE to get pieces for Kobe to compete over the next 2+ years.  Draft picks usually don't make you a contender in two years time.

Smitty77

He makes just under $20 million, is 33, and has an expiring contract: the Lakers are not going to get a return much better than financial relief and draft picks.  The teams that would a) be interested in Gasol and b) have the cap space to absorb his contract aren't going to surrender any serious pieces for him.

That's said, they're in Los Angeles - they don't need to acquire the players they need through trade.  They're a premier free agent destination.

My point is that LA wants to compete in the next two years.  Getting a mid to late first rounder or two does NOTHING to help them in the next two years!!!  I bet LA might like one of the Morris brothers and/or Channing Frye and/or Len.  That is IF they are high one any of those players.  I will be shocked if LA takes Okafor and mid to late first rounders.  To me, that just does NOT fit with I ASSUME they will try to do with the team in Kobe's last two years.

Smitty77

[Moranis]

Phoenix - Gasol
L.A. - Okafor, Asik
Houston - Indiana 1st, Phoenix 1st, 8.4 million trade exception

[LooseCannon]

I would think that the Lakers might demand Bledsoe, as they are said to be HOT on his trail win his contract expires.

I doubt LA lets Gasol go for just Okafor and picks.  I really doubt that.  They HAVE to get pieces for Kobe to compete over the next 2+ years.  Draft picks usually don't make you a contender in two years time.

Smitty77

He makes just under $20 million, is 33, and has an expiring contract: the Lakers are not going to get a return much better than financial relief and draft picks.  The teams that would a) be interested in Gasol and b) have the cap space to absorb his contract aren't going to surrender any serious pieces for him.

That's said, they're in Los Angeles - they don't need to acquire the players they need through trade.  They're a premier free agent destination.

My point is that LA wants to compete in the next two years.  Getting a mid to late first rounder or two does NOTHING to help them in the next two years!!!  I bet LA might like one of the Morris brothers and/or Channing Frye and/or Len.  That is IF they are high one any of those players.  I will be shocked if LA takes Okafor and mid to late first rounders.  To me, that just does NOT fit with I ASSUME they will try to do with the team in Kobe's last two years.

Getting a first back for Gasol does more for the team than not trading Gasol and letting him walk, which might happen.  Since the Lakers have traded their 2015 and 2017 first-round picks, an extra first gives them a trade asset for improving the team.  Maybe you can package it with Nash's contract if he decides to retire and holds off long enough for the Lakers to flip him to someone looking for cap relief.