LA Lakers Trade Rumors 2014 Update: Pau Gasol No Longer on Trading Block

The Los Angeles Lakers considered trading Pau Gasol recently but the team is now reportedly keen on keeping the All-Star center -- at least for now.

As ESPN reported, the Lakers put Gasol on trading block after his free agency comments and his recent spat with coach Mike D'Antoni.

Gasol recently said that leaving the Lakers next summer is an option especially with the possibility of teaming up with his brother, Marc, in Memphis. He also criticized the offensive system of D'Antoni, saying that his limited touches on the post are affecting his aggressiveness.

However, Gasol's recent performances encouraged the Lakers to keep him at least for the entire season. The 33-year-old center averaged 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in the team's last three games, which includes a 21-point performance in their 96-92 win over the Grizzlies on Tuesday in Memphis.

Gasol's effort to make amends with D'Antoni is also one of the factors why the Lakers eventually decided to stop shopping the 13-year-veteran center. D'Antoni, who previously hinted that Gasol is not playing hard like he should be, praised Gasol's performance in their last three games.

"I just think people go through periods of slumps where you question things," D'Antoni said. "Like I said, we were out of whack. Different things go on. But Pau's an All-Star, he's one of the best players in the league, he worked through it and he's back to normal."

Gasol, on the other hand, admitted that high expectations sometimes get into his head especially when things are not working out right.

"There are always a lot of expectations," Gasol said. "It's always been one of the positives and the things that I love about this franchise. Obviously it has a downside. When things are not working out, the pot gets a little stirred and things could happen. But we can't be too worried about it. What we have to focus on is our job and playing hard and trying to get wins so things don't get messy."

Sources said that the Lakers spoke with the Rockets about a possible trade involving Gasol and disgruntled center Omer Asik, but talks did not go too far.

The Lakers also contacted the New York Knicks on a potential trade involving Gasol for Iman Shumpert and Tyson Chandler. However, ESPN reports that the talk was merely exploratory.