NBA Trade Rumors 2014 Update: LA Lakers Stars Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant Shrug Off Latest Talks

Pau Gasol was almost traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Andrew Bynum, but the veteran center shrugged off the latest trade talks involving him.

Gasol, who admitted that he thought the trade that would have sent him to Cleveland was already a done deal, stressed that he can't worry about the things that are out of his hands, saying that he will continue to focus on helping the Lakers -- at least while he is still in Los Angeles.

"I don't really know how it really played out. I don't know the reason it didn't happen," Gasol told ESPN Los Angeles. "I know probably that there will be other rumors and potential trades coming up, but I can't really worry about it. I just need to continue what I've been doing."

Kobe Bryant also reacted to the latest rumor that surrounded Gasol. The 15-time All-Star, who is still recovering from a knee injury, confidently said that he is quite sure Gasol was not bothered by the talks.

"The only time he hasn't been in trade rumors is after we won our back-to-back championships," Bryant said. "Seems like every other week he's been in trade discussions. At some point you kind of get used to it."

The Lakers and the Cavs engaged in deep talks about a potential Gasol-for-Bynum swap. The deal could have saved the Lakers more than $20 million in salary and taxes, but the two teams failed to strike a deal.

Los Angeles asked for additional future assets, but Cleveland declined. The Cavaliers then traded Bynum along with future picks to the Chicago Bulls for Luol Deng.

Gasol, who is playing in the final year of his contract that pays him $19.3 million this season, is expected to become a subject of several trade talks again before the deadline. Teams that will look to have cap flexibility next summer are expected to express interest in acquiring the 13-year-veteran.

"What do you do? You continue to work, you continue to compete, you continue to bring your best effort. That's what you do," Gasol said. "That's all you can do. Continue to prepare, and hopefully that will give us a chance to win games and get wins."