It seemed there was a possibility that the Los Angeles Lakers would quell the NBA trade rumors swirling around Pau Gasol following Kobe Bryant's comments to the media on Sunday. The opposite happened, however, meaning there's still a chance the Spanish center could end up with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak issued a statement Monday evening to address Bryant's comments essentially asking management to either trade Gasol immediately or tell him he's not being traded at all.
"As a former player, I understand how the days leading up to the trade deadline can be nerve-wracking for an NBA player. Nonetheless, as General Manager of the Lakers, I have a responsibility to ownership, our fans and the players on this team to actively pursue opportunities to improve the team for this season and seasons to come. To say publicly that we would not do this would serve no purpose and put us at a competitive disadvantage. Taking such a course of action at this time would be a disservice to ownership, the team and our many fans."
In summation, there's still a chance David Kahn can acquire Gasol for Derrick Williams and extra pieces. As noted on Monday, however, it will remain unclear whether the trade would be worth it for either side until those pieces are determined.
This saga will likely continue right up until the trade deadline as Kupchak attempts to get as much value for Gasol as possible. And until the Timberwolves are officially ruled out, the rumors are going to continue to be rounded up here at SB Nation Minnesota ... so strap in.
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