The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly offered All-Star power forward Pau Gasol for center Brook Lopez, a source close to situation reported on Sunday.

ESPN NBA insider Marc Stein says the Lakers indeed inquired on the availability of the All-Star center, but the negotiation never gained traction because the Nets were unwilling to part ways with their big man.

"According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers called into Brooklyn earlier this month when they were gauging Pau Gasol's trade value. Stein says that L.A. were interested in a Gasol for Brook Lopez swap, though the Nets quickly refused," reported Lakerholics.com.

"Sources with knowledge of the discussions told ESPN.com that the Lakers did indeed engage the Nets earlier this month in some exploratory talks to see if Brooklyn had interest in such a swap. Sources say that the Nets balked at the idea when it was presented before Lopez's injury, but it's still noteworthy if it happened."

Gasol, who averaged 14.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks this season, has been the subject of trade rumors for the first two months before the Lakers announced they were pulling the Spaniard off the market. Meanwhile, Lopez was averaging 20.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game but tragedy struck as he suffered a season-ending foot injury two weeks ago.

The Trading Game

According to Lakersholics, the failed Gasol-for-Lopez swap only means the Lakers are not interested to use their cap space for next summer's free agency bonanza. Instead, the purple and gold might be looking to use it to accommodate big trades this season.

"Now, the fact that Lopez is out due to injury would probably cause the Lakers' interest to wane here, though the real point that Stein is getting at is that the Lakers appear to be interested in taking on salary that would all but eliminate their free agency hopes until 2016," Lakersholics reported.

NBA insiders will have all their eyes on Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, who could pull off a significant trade that would give Kobe Bryant another star-caliber teammate before he finally hangs up his sneakers in 2016.