clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Lakers Trade Rumors: Pau Gasol Focusing On Playing, Despite Trade Speculation

Pau Gasol is doing the best he can on the court these past several weeks and months, while seemingly daily trade rumors swirl about him. Gasol has been linked lately to both the Rockets and Timberwolves, and he admitted in a recent interview it provides a good deal of stress.

From ESPN's Brian Kamenetzky:

"There's talks and rumors every day. Today I was reading it was Minnesota is really interested in trying to put a good package together," he said. "[Other teams are] calling, and it seems like things are just waiting for the right offer to come along for [the Lakers] to pull the trigger."

As he's done every time he's been asked since the failed CP3 deal, Gasol reiterated a desire to stay in L.A., but acknowledges "It's out of my hands... I'd like to make his team better and get back to a championship level, but it's not up to me." As it was in the immediate aftermath of the December non-deal when it appeared the Paul trade might be revived, Gasol said he just wished he knew one way or the other.

"It would give me some peace, or more peace," he said. "Every day I tell myself, try to let it go. Don't think about it. Have fun, be the player you are out there. That's all that you can do."

Despite all this, Gasol has indeed managed to remain focused on the court - and per that ESPN article, he's averaging 18.6 points, 14 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.7 blocks a game over the last seven February matchups.

For more on the Lake Show, check out Silver Screen and Roll. For more trade rumors and general news on the NBA, check out SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.