NBA Trade Rumors 2014 Update: Pau Gasol For Andrew Bynum Trade Stalled, LA Lakers Wants Young Assets From Cleveland
The trade talks between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers about a potential trade involving Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are no longer progressing.
ESPN reported that the Gasol-for-Bynum trade talks have stalled.The Cavaliers have until January 7 to trade or waive Bynum before the other half of his $12.25 million salary this season becomes guaranteed.
Sources said that the talks stopped progressing after the Lakers remained firm on their stance of acquiring another player aside from the team-friendly contract of Bynum, which could save the Lakers around $20 million in salary and taxes this season.
The Cavaliers actually need to add another player to make the trade work since Gasol is earning $19.3 million this season, $7 million higher than Bynum's salary this season.
Reports suggested that the Lakers are asking for a young prospect or a future first-round pick in the deal, but the Cavaliers are not willing to give in to the Lakers' demands. The Cavaliers are reportedly calling almost all teams to determine if they have other options aside from the Lakers' proposal.
The trade value of Bynum will diminish when his contract becomes fully-guaranteed on Tuesday, but the Cavaliers could wait for the offseason to gauge interest in Bynum, whose contract next season is fully nonguaranteed.
On the other hand, the Lakers are expected to receive calls from other teams, who are interested in acquiring Gasol, playing in the final year of his contract.
When asked about the recent trade rumors surrounding him, Gasol said that he is already used to dealing with it after being part of several trade rumors in the past few seasons.
"I'm more accustomed to them and I deal with them better than I did at first, when it started," Gasol said. "But it's just a reality, and I just got to stay cool and keep my mind on the game as much as I can."
But while he is ready for any eventuality before the trade deadline, Gasol said that he wants to remain in Los Angeles.
"It's my home, it's my team," Gasol said. "It's the team that I've been through so much with, and I'm not the type of guy that likes to jump ship because everything is not going right right now. So, I'm a loyal guy. I'd like to continue to be here and fight with the guys that are here."