NBA Trade Rumors: League Executive Believes Pau Gasol Could Be Dealt Before Trade Deadline

Spanish power forward Pau Gasol might be starting the 2013-2014 NBA season as the premier big man for the Los Angeles Lakers, but that doesn't mean he is guaranteed to stay in Hollywood for the whole year, a league insider disclosed this week.

The 33-year-old Gasol will be entering his seventh season with the Lakers and 13th of his career in next year's campaign. With Dwight Howard already in Houston, Gasol is expected to jack up his numbers because he's going to be the primary inside scorer for the Lakers next season.

The Spanish big man averaged at least 18 points and 10 rebounds since he was acquired by the purple-and-gold via trade in 2007. However, his production dipped significantly last season as he struggled to cope with Mike D'Antoni's high-octane style of play and competition with Howard in the interior.

Yet again, Gasol's long term tenure in Los Angeles is not guaranteed. The Lakers are undoubtedly in a rebuilding phase right now, and like what happened in the past, the franchise is anticipated to make some bold moves along the way to keep them in position to win another title before Kobe Bryant's retirement.

Sadly for Gasol fans, one of the potential transactions that would surely shake up the Laker world is trading the crafty big man before midseason trade deadline.

According to ESPN Los Angeles insider Dave McMenamin, an unnamed NBA executive believes the Lakers will eventually part ways with Gasol if they find themselves in a deep hole before the midseason trade deadline.

"They'll see where they're at. At this point I don't think they want to think about that possibility [of stripping down the team] right now. I don't think that's how they think. Their aspirations are a lot higher than most teams every year, and I'm sure they want to see where Kobe's at come Jan. 1 and see where the team's at," the executive told McMenamin. "If they get to the point where it's the trade deadline and they can tell their team's not going anywhere, I'm sure they'll at least consider something with Pau or any other pieces they might be able to move for a longer-term piece." 

The Lakers will likely demand solid young players and first-round draft picks in exchange for Gasol, who could draw interest from several teams next season.

Bryant repeatedly stated that Gasol is untouchable as long as he's wearing a Lakers uniform. Then again, the Lakers could make several major decisions - harsh or not - to keep them relevant in the future.