http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10392533/phoenix-suns-explore-deal-los-angeles-lakers-pau-gasol The Phoenix Suns have emerged as a potential trade suitor for Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol, according to sources close to the process. Sources told ESPN.com that the Suns, among the options being weighed as part of their well-chronicled desire to acquire an established player as they make an unexpected playoff push this season, have been exploring the feasibility of trading for the Lakers' four-time All-Star. One option for the Suns, by virtue of their $5.6 million in available salary-cap space, is swapping the expiring contract of injured big man Emeka Okafor for Gasol, even though Okafor's $14.5 million salary this season falls well shy of Gasol's $19.3 million. ... A trade for Okafor's expiring deal would not save the Lakers as much as a deal for Bynum would have, but it would come with undeniable financial benefits. The $4.8 million difference between Gasol's cap number and Okafor's would immediately drop the Lakers less than $3 million away from the league's luxury-tax threshold, meaning one more smaller deal before the Feb. 20 trade deadline could conceivably be enough to take them out of tax territory completely. There would also be salary savings involved because insurance began picking up 80 percent of what remains on Okafor's contract once Phoenix passed this season's 41-game midpoint because of a long-term neck injury that has sidelined the nine-year veteran all season. The Suns are known to be shopping Okafor's contract aggressively in advance of the trade deadline as a means for whoever acquires the 31-year-old to potentially save more than $5 million in salary payouts thanks to the insurance coverage. The Lakers, though, have been adamant that they won't part with Gasol merely for financial relief, even in a season in which they've slipped into the West's bottom three at 16-31. Lakers officials refused to relent in their talks with Cleveland, convinced that they had other means to get below the luxury-tax threshold before the trade deadline and that Gasol still holds trade value. Gasol responded by averaging 20.8 points and 11.9 rebounds in January. He's expected to miss the next week because of strained right groin that's not believed to be serious. How much the Suns would be willing to add beyond Okafor to a potential trade for Gasol, in terms of young talent or draft compensation, remains to be seen. But Suns officials have made no secret of the fact that the team's wholly unexpected 29-18 start -- despite playing without the injury Eric Bledsoe for the last 17 games -- has led to some revisions in their long-term planning. In mid-December, general manager Ryan McDonough told NBA.com that the Suns are indeed open to trading one (or more) of their possible four first-round picks in the loaded 2014 NBA draft if it meant they could get an impact player immediately. "We're obviously all looking for stars," McDonough said at the time, "and we feel like we can put together a package as good, if not better, than any other team in the league if and when a star becomes available." The appeal of a Gasol trade is that the Suns would be adding a front-line big man for the rest of the season without impacting their future flexibility to pursue younger stars via free agency or trade. It also gives Phoenix a chance to evaluate Gasol -- as well as acquire his Larry Bird rights -- before he becomes a free agent in July to assess whether he's a long-term fit. It's believed that the Suns, knowing that a franchise-type talent is unlikely to become available between now and the deadline, like the idea of acquiring a proven veteran of Gasol's caliber who won't slice into the club's projected cap-space riches in this and future summers.
doesn't seem that suns would like to get anyone with 20 mills. but supposing it makes sense, then okafor + len?
I was just thinking about this the other day. I'm glad if this deal happens. Suns keep on the mediocrity treadmill, Lakers don't get any valuable piece, and the Asik to Cleveland option remains viable.
One thing the Lakers should absolutely do this year is to get under the luxury tax line. Why pay the tax for a team that is not getting anywhere? Gasol is most likely going to be involved in such a trade but they will need to throw in other salaries if they are to do Gasol-Okafor.
Called this one few weeks ago once I heard about Emeka Okafor contract and the insurance on it etc. I knew the suns were going to go after a big and is assumed GASOL !
You can make an one for one deal but the deal would not be enough to get the Lakers under the tax line.
The suns have 4 first round picks and will be $19mill under the cap this summer if they get GASOL on his expiring contract, WOW !!!!
I doubt it very much that the Lakers would care to trade Pau Gasol to a division rival. If the Suns ever got Gasol in a trade before the deadline, there would likely be a third team involved imo. Sure, during the 1996-97 season, they traded Cedric Ceballos to the Suns for Robert Horry, but that was because the Lakers' GM at that time Jerry West was confident that they would get the better end of that trade, which they did.
To bad no big FA's will go their in the next few years. + let's not forget for all of their picks none of them are going to be in the lottery! they have the pacers 1st, 1st wizards (top 12 protected) , 1st wolves (top 13 protected) and heir own. They may not even get the wolves pick if they miss the playoffs so having 3 picks could potentially be roughly 30ish pacers pick 17ish wizards 16ish suns pick Not that great when your break it down
who's to say a SOLID free agent wouldn't go there if they finish a good seed in the west and look good in the playoffs? Maybe not a SUPERSTAR namesake Howard but a solid piece like a MILLSAPP would. We're only half way through the season they could go up or down & I didn't even mention Bledsoes contract coming off the book. When I said $19mill if he walks this off season which would be even more. 2014 is a loaded draft so 1st rounders will make things happen whether is a lottery pick or not
Nawh I wouldn't say that about morey, but he will judged by this teams playoff performance this year compared to other teams.
If they get milsapp they will forever be mediocre, a team like the suns can only win the chip through the draft, + I wouldn't be calling their gm smart look at who he has picked in the last 3 drafts - Len - Kendall marshal - markeiff Morris ( he's allright but nothing that special) So history would suggest that the suns are not the best drafters so the 3 potentially 4 picks they have shouldn't be seen as locks since it's "a loaded draft" also it seems this draft is just really good at the top 10 picks and then normally rated from then on in the articles I have read
