Lakers need to be cautious about dealing Pau Gasol

The Lakers’ championship aspirations significantly hinge on whether the team can make a blockbuster deal before the March 15 deadline. Their stagnant offense significantly points to the Lakers’ lacking at the point-guard spot. The Lakers need a youth injection so that the team’s foundation remains in good hands once Kobe Bryant retires possibly as early as two years from now when his contract expires. Yet, it’s not clear-cut that the solution to the Lakers’ problems involves trading Lakers forward Pau Gasol.

If the Lakers have any chance to acquire Dwight Howard or Deron Williams, they will have to give up the Lakers forward. But that’s operating on a strong leap of faith. The Magic have remained publicly resistant in trading Howard. Up until Nets center Brook Lopez suffered an injury, both New Jersey and Williams appeared intent on reacting based off what Orlando would do with Howard. That leaves the Lakers with an expectation that they might not land that big deal the front office hoped they could secure before the trading deadline.

So where does that leave Gasol and his two-year $38.3-million contract after this season? The Times’ Mike Bresnahan reported a few weeks ago that the Lakers are “resolute” about keeping Gasol unless they secure a young star. Still, as Gasol told reporters at the Lakers’ shoot-around before Detroit on Tuesday, a recent conversation with General Manager Mitch Kupchak confirmed his previously released statement that Gasol has no assurances he will be dealt.

Based off Bresnahan’s report, it appears the front office remains measured on how they’ll deal Gasol, a critical approach considering the Lakers’ limited options. It’s critical the Lakers react accordingly under these scenarios.

1. More depth isn’t a better option. Various reports suggest the Houston Rockets want to trade Luis Scola, Goran Dragic and Kevin Martin for Gasol. In other words, the same original deal the Lakers tried to pull off before training camp except for one important component. That involved the Lakers acquiring Chris Paul from New Orleans. This deal simply gives the Lakers added role players that don’t match Gasol’s talent. Using these players as chips toward a bigger deal only proves more risky and complicated.

2. The deal has to involve an elite point guard or Howard. If the Lakers can acquire Williams, it’s a no-brainer. Same with Houston offers Kyle Lowry. Same if the Minnesota Timberwolves offer Ricky Rubio. But neither scenario sounds doable. Acquiring Boston guard Rajon Rondo would be a good idea if the Celtics offer another player.

3. Saving salaries makes no sense. One of the underlying suspicions regarding the Lakers trading Odom to the Dallas Mavericks involved the Lakers’ motivation. Did they simply do this to save $17 million in both salary and luxury taxes? Regardless of the new collective bargaining agreement and the possibility Howard and Williams become free agents next summer, performing a salary dump on Gasol makes little sense. Keep him and use him as a chip in the off-season.

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