Pau Gasol probably does not want to play for the Los Angeles Lakers anymore. On Sunday, Gasol chose not to play against the Philadelphia 76ers because of a respiratory infection and was told to not bother showing up. Andrew Bynum may not want to play basketball anymore, period. He has been suspended indefinitely by the Cleveland Cavaliers and is being shopped around. Would the Lakers take him back?
According to ESPN.com, the Lakers and Cavs have had discussions about a potential trade involving Bynum and Gasol. The obvious appeal for LA is the money it would save. However, that would involve waiving Bynum after they acquired him to save more than $20 million in salaries and luxury taxes. In other words, Bynum is highly unlikely to actually play for the Lakers again.
Considering this is the same Bynum who used to laugh when the Lakers lost important games, that is not a surprise. As ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne reminded us, the Cavs have had a high interest in Gasol since they tried to acquire him last summer. After the Lakers lost Dwight Howard, they chose to keep Gasol.
The Cavs have also reportedly had discussions with the Chicago Bulls about a potential trade for Luol Deng. The Bulls also have salary cap issues and do not have high expectations for the 2013-2014 season after losing Derrick Rose once again. Chicago could be interested in the same type of sign-and-waive deal that LA would be interested in.
Bynum has a very reasonable contract, but no team wants him. While the Cavs may be able to find a trade partner, those trade partners may just be looking to dump salaries and have no actual interest in adding Bynum to their roster. Such is life when you just don’t give a s— about basketball.
