NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Could Use Pau Gasol
By Ti Windisch
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost their opening night matchup against the Bulls thanks to a Gasol block on LeBron James as time expired in regulation. The Cavs knew then, if they didn’t before, that Pau Gasol is clutch.
And although Cleveland is already way over the luxury tax line, owner Dan Gilbert seems not to care about that too much. He wants a title in The Land, and he wants it now.
Adding Gasol to the Cavs would greatly increase their odds at winning it all, so expect them to be very interested in adding him before the deadline if at all possible.
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Cleveland has some interesting trade chips to throw around. Despite assembling an incredibly talented roster, only Cleveland’s 2016 first round pick is owed to another team.
Their second-rounders are all virtually gone, but the Cavs could package Timofey Mozgov and a future first rounder or two in an attempt to add Gasol to their ranks.
Things get really interesting when Kevin Love is thrown into the equation. There are ways involving Taj Gibson or Joakim Noah to make a Gasol for Love swap work salary-wise, and it makes some sense for both sides.
Gasol is older, and more of a win-now option. Love isn’t on a rookie deal or anything, but he’s got a lot left in the tank. The Cavs could get some additional cap flexibility for next year while adding a player who could probably add more to their title hopes right now than Love can.
As evidenced by the sudden firing of David Blatt, the Cleveland Cavaliers will do anything they think is necessary to finally win an NBA Finals. If they feel that means adding Pau Gasol, who knows what could happen.
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