Lakers in the News 6/4/12:11pm update: Lakers exercise Andrew Bynum's option; now the intrigue starts

[Cha*n]

Lakers' Gasol receives 2011-12 Kia Community Assist Award

Posted Jun 4 2012 12:15PM
Los Angeles Lakers forward-center Pau Gasol is the recipient of the first-ever seasonlong Kia Community Assist Award in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the community and his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work, the NBA announced today.

Kia and the NBA are honoring Gasol in part for his ongoing support of Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The pre-medical-student-turned-NBA-star has been a hospital champion for the past several years. In addition to frequent visits with patients, Gasol facilitated a new partnership this year between the hospital and Grifols, a Barcelona-based global health care company. The company has since donated a Phocus RX machine to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, which enhances safety and efficiency, and plans to donate an inventory management system to the hospital's pharmacy. Gasol's passion for supporting children's health also compelled him to serve as a Hoops for St. Jude ambassador to benefit the kids of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In his third consecutive year as an ambassador, Gasol spent time with young patients battling cancer and other deadly diseases at St. Jude and filmed a public service announcement to help increase awareness and funding for the hospital.

[Cha*n]

Lakers Trade Rumors: Pau Gasol For Kevin Garnett A Possibility?

by Avinash Kunnath

READ MORE: nba trade rumors 2012, Kevin Garnett (C - BOS), Pau Gasol (F - LAL), Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol will hear his name circulated a lot this offseason with regards to trade rumors.

One improbable scenario: Gasol for hated Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett. Shaun Powell of NBA.com files this report.

There are other possible landing places as well. Maybe the Lakers? Garnett has a home in Malibu, and the Lakers have Kobe Bryant. What they don’t have is cap room, but that can be resolved if they agree to a sign and trade for Pau Gasol. The Lakers desperately want Gasol’s contract (three years, $60 million) off the cap and tried to trade him last summer. The Celtics, with only Pierce and Rondo making decent money, could take Gasol, although that would likely prevent them from re-signing Brandon Bass.

[Runway8]

All these articles wanting to dump Celtic old players on to us for Pau.

I wouldn't do Pau for Paul or KG straight up. But if they want to get rid of them bad enough, lets do Pau and Artest for KG and Pierce.

This wouldn't be rebuilding, this would be one last push to win another ring with Kobe. Since rebuilding while having a $30 million dollar 34 years old superstar doesn't make sense either.... why not one last push?

[Cha*n]

Pau Gasol goes to the operating room -- as an observer

By Mark Medina
June 4, 2012, 9:48 a.m.
Warning: The video above contains graphic images of a spinal surgery that Lakers forward Pau Gasol observed at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.

Pau Gasol's attentive stare sharpened as he leaned over. His eyes widened. He nodded his head when told what just happened in front of him. Gasol then relayed his own observations.

This time, however, Gasol wasn’t focusing on the basketball court. He wasn’t conferring with teammates or Coach Mike Brown. He wasn’t even wearing a Lakers’ uniform.

No, the Lakers haven’t traded Gasol. At least not yet, anyway. What kept Gasol so engaged actually had little to do with hoops. It had everything to do with what took place last Tuesday in an operating room at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

There, Gasol observed as surgeons performed spinal surgery on 15-year-old Joshua Sandoval, who has scoliosis. Gasol eagerly listened to Dr. David Skaggs as he explained how he and his operating assistants would insert metal rods and his screws into Sandoval's back. And Gasol, who attended medical school at the University of Barcelona before choosing to pursue an NBA career, offered an opinion.

“I loved it,” Gasol said afterward. “I loved every second of it and everything that is going on here.”

[greenfrog]

gasol playing with a great unselfish point guard...scary thought.

[Cha*n]

NBA Rumors: Lakers, Kobe Bryant Want to Trade Pau Gasol for Kevin Garnett?

Submitted by Alex Groberman on Jun 4, 2012

The Los Angeles Lakers have made it to no secret that they want to trade Pau Gasol. Despite the fact that he delivered two championships to Tinseltown and maybe even deserved a Finals MVP in one of those efforts, the big Spaniard has never gotten the respect that he deserves from Laker fans or management.

When L.A. wins, it’s because of Kobe Bryant. When L.A. loses, it’s because of Gasol. That’s the pre-written narrative, and it’s one that will never change.

With that in mind and another failed season in the books (by Lakers standards), it’s no secret that if anyone is going to get moved this offseason, it’s going to be the team’s often-criticized power forward. Would the Lakers be better off shipping away Andrew Bynum given that he’s coming off his best year ever? Probably. Will Jim Buss part ways with his beloved center, though? Nope.

[Cha*n]

Lakers Trade Rumors: L.A. Reportedly Desperate to Move Pau Gasol's Contract

TThe Los Angeles Lakers and Pau Gasol cannot seem to escape trade speculation this offseason. The latest rumor is courtesy of Shaun Powell of NBA.com’s Hang Time blog.

Here is what the reporter had to say about the situation:

What they [the Lakers] don’t have is cap room, but that can be resolved if they agree to a sign and trade for Pau Gasol. The Lakers desperately want Gasol’s contract (three years, $60 million) off the cap and tried to trade him last summer.

While Gasol is only on the books for the next two seasons at $19 million and $19.3 million, respectively, it’s understandable that the team would want to move him and bring in some fresh blood.


Gasol is still a highly-skilled and valuable big.
The Lakers collapsed in the second round of the playoffs for the second year in a row and it is becoming clear that the current roster no longer has what it takes to be the best in the West.

[greenfrog]

[Cha*n]

Hmmm. If he's traded for Gartnet it's probably just to drop salary if Hoopshype salaries chart is right.

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/boston.htm

[Cha*n]

Report: Bobcats interview Quin Snyder


UPDATED JUN 4, 2012 6:56 PM ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)
The Bobcats interviewed Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Quin Snyder on Monday in Chicago about their head coaching vacancy, said a person familiar with the situation.



Looking for the latest on the Bobcats? Get the inside slant, stats, scores, schedules and more scoops right here.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Charlotte has not made its list of coaching candidates public.

Snyder, a former head coach in the NBDL's Austin Toros and at Missouri, becomes the 10th candidate to interview for the Bobcats opening as what has been a lengthy search begins to wind down. The person said the Bobcats could interview one more candidate before paring the list down to a few finalists who'll meet with owner Michael Jordan.

General manager Rich Cho and director of basketball operations Rod Higgins have handled all interviews up until this point.

The Bobcats have previously interviewed former Portland head coach Nate McMillan and former Utah coach Jerry Sloan, as well as several NBA assistant coaches including Golden State's Michael Malone, Charlotte's Stephen Silas, Cleveland's Nate Tibbetts and Memphis' Dave Joerger, as well as assistant coach Mike Dunlap from St. John's.

[Cha*n]

Lakers exercise Andrew Bynum's option; now the intrigue starts

Lakers pick up All-Star center Andrew Bynum's $16.1-million contract option for next season. But what happens next? He could be a free agent in 2013. He could be trade bait. Or team could re-sign him.

By Mike Bresnahan

June 4, 2012, 8:24 p.m.
The Lakers officially picked up Andrew Bynum's $16.1-million option, a formality for a player who finally tapped into the potential that had loomed above him throughout his career.

How long he's with the Lakers beyond that becomes the question.

Bynum, 24, will be in the last season of a four-year, $57.2-million contract. Negotiations on an extension had not begun, though that could happen soon. If he doesn't re-sign with the Lakers, he will be an unrestricted free agent after next season.

Either way, Bynum remains one of the Lakers' two tradable assets.

They'd rather deal Pau Gasol, but his contract has two more years and $38 million left, heavy money for a player who averaged only 12.5 points in the playoffs and shot 43%.

[Cha*n]

Lakers exercise contract option on C Andrew Bynum

The Associated Press

Published: Monday, Jun. 4, 2012 - 5:13 pm

LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers have exercised their $16.1 million contract option for next season on All-Star center Andrew Bynum.

Los Angeles announced the move Monday. General manager Mitch Kupchak confirmed last month the Lakers would exercise the option.

Bynum is coming off his best NBA season after averaging career highs with 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds while making his first All-Star team, starting for the West. He was the NBA's third-leading rebounder and 20th-leading scorer while also ranking sixth in the league with 1.93 blocked shots per game.

Bynum also avoided the injuries that have dogged him throughout a seven-year career since the Lakers made the New Jersey high schooler the youngest player ever drafted in 2005. Bynum played in 60 of the Lakers' 66 regular-season games, missing four due to suspension.

[ThreePointBomber]

This was obvious. The Lakers wouldn't just let him walk.
_________________
The most important shot in basketball.