UPDATE (1:02 PM PST): According to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Lakers are now engaged in a three-team trade centered around Pau Gasol to acquire one or two draft picks with no players coming back for now:
Lakers in 3-way talks that would send Pau to CHI + net them 1 or 2 picks. As of now, no players coming back to Lakers. 3rd team possibly HOU
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 12, 2014
UPDATE (10:56 AM PST): According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Lakers will delay the signing of Nick Young to work out a sign-and-trade for Pau Gasol to the Chicago Bulls:
ESPN sources say Lakers will delay official signing of Nick Young until AFTER Pau Gasol talks play out. Pau sign-and-trade must happen first
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 12, 2014
UPDATE (10:51 PM PST): According to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, Pau Gasol and the Chicago Bulls are working to complete an agreement:
[divide]Pau Gasol, Chicago working to complete an agreement, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 12, 2014
The Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls appear to be on the verge of a sign-and-trade involving free agent Pau Gasol, according to Marca.com via Twitter.
Although Carmelo Anthony hasn’t announced his decision in free agency, the writing appears to be on the wall that he’ll either sign with the Bulls or return to the New York Knicks. Anthony will likely make his decision at some point during the weekend with the Los Angeles Lakers seemingly no longer an option.
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With the Lakers no longer in contention for Carmelo, Gasol decided to go elsewhere in an effort to play for a contender. The San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Bulls were all interested in Gasol, but San Antonio and Chicago emerged as the frontrunners.
If Carmelo decides to head to Chicago, as it appears he will, the Bulls will be a legitimate threat to come out of the Eastern Conference next season. Derrick Rose will be healthy and Carmelo could be on his way to the Windy City making their own Big 3 to compete with LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers.
Along with potentially landing Carmelo and having a healthy Rose back in the mix, the Bulls also have a solid bench and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah leading the way in the frontcourt. Gasol and company would become legitimate title contenders in the East with arguably one of the best head coaches in the league on the sidelines in Tom Thibodeau.
As for the Lakers, there’s been no indication of which players or assets that might be sent to Los Angeles. Veteran forward Carlos Boozer has been mentioned frequently as a potential trade chip for the Bulls to send to the Lakers, but it is uncertain if the team is willing to bring him in.
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Jeremy Lin Traded To Lakers
