Pau Gasol Trade Still Unsure; May Stay With Lakers For Kobe Bryant

In the past weeks, there have been talks that Pau Gasol and Steve Nash may have left the Lakers training building for the final time earlier in April. However, Gasol shared some statements on his website which may indicate his willingness to remain a Laker until the end of Kobe Bryant's career, Sports Illustrated reports.

He wrote, "Re-signing for the Lakers is a possibility, but I'm not sure whether to say it's a remote one. If there's anything or anyone who could make me stay it's Kobe Bryant. I'd stay for him, but there'd have to be significant changes. I've said it many times: I want to be in a team that has a solid chance to win another tournament and where I can be an important factor in the game."

In a report by SB Nation, Gasol will become a free agent in July 2014. With Bryant staying in the sidelines due to recurring injuries, Gasol had bear seeing the Lakers suffer their worst season in over 50 years. He also shared his sentiments about not being given the credit and opportunity he deserves as center of one of the premier teams in the league. Gasol in the meantime should reconsider his relationships with Bryant and coach Mike D'Antoni, whose stay with the Los Angeles Lakers remains questionable.

Gasol and D'Antoni did not exactly meet eye-to-eye especially in their offensive tactics. D'Antoni preferred Gasol to be faster and play a role in pick-and-roll situations. Gasol liked to play in a more controlled and properly timed manner, by staying in the post as much as possible.

Mitch Kupchak, general manager of the Lakers, however, said that the team is highly interested in re-signing Gasol, according to a report by NBC Sports. The center averaged 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds during the 2013-2014 season without much of Bryant. He was previously given $19.2 million in his final Laker year. Although there are plenty of teams that showed interest in acquiring Gasol, it is unlikely that they will be paying that much in exchange.