After the deadline, the Cavaliers have to guarantee the additional $6 million on Bynum’s contract as he’s been suspended indefinitely by the team. Meanwhile, the Lakers motivation is to clear cap space since they don’t want to pay the luxury tax this season and it’ll give them more freedom to spend in the coming years. On ESPNLA 710, senior writer Ramona Shelburne discussed where talks stand now and what’s holding up the deal:
There’s three or four things that get this deal done and Cleveland knows all of them. If they give them Dion Waiters, a first-round pick, Anderson Varejao, I think they like Zeller as well. There’s a couple of other players on that team that get the deal done. Right now, Cleveland’s offer is Andrew Bynum and C.J. Miles or Alonzo Gee and go enjoy your $23 million in salary cap.
The Lakers are currently on their way to Dallas as they’ll begin a three-game road trip tomorrow night against the Dallas Mavericks. As has been confirmed by multiple outlets, Gasol did board the team flight as his name continues to be mentioned in rumors.
In what was possibly his last game as a Laker, the 33-year-old Spaniard scored 25 points to go along with 10 rebounds in five assists against the Denver Nuggets, and said afterwards that he hasn’t received any clarity about the rumors. Along with the Lakers, the Cavaliers are reportedly talking to other teams, notably the Utah Jazz about Bynum, as it’s clear they’re determined to get a deal done today.
For the Lakers, trading Gasol to either the Cavaliers or another team down the road seems inevitable at this point as management looks to free up money for future dealings.
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VIDEO: Pau Gasol After Possibly His Last Game As A Laker