Lakers Trade Rumors: Rasheed Wallace Signs; Will Pau Gasol be Traded?

The Los Angeles Lakers finally made a move, as the club looks to have a stronger second half of the season following a rather lackluster start.

Power forward Rasheed Wallace has joined the Lakers, according to reports. The veteran big man is known for being a fiery competitor, and for being a threat in the paint and the perimeter.

A. Sherrod Blakely of NECN.com cited sources that said a renewed conditioning regimen has Wallace looking better than he has in years.

Wallace hasn't played since the summer of 2010, but played in 79 games in the 2009-2010 season and averaged a respectable nine points a game, and more than four rebounds per game off the bench. He hit 82 three-pointers that season, and shot nearly 77 percent from the free-throw line.

The addition of Wallace will likely mean less time for Troy Murphy as well as Josh McRoberts, who has played just 16 total minutes in February.

The signing of Wallace doesn't necessarily mean that a deal for Pau Gasol is imminent, but it also doesn't hurt the chances of the big man being moved. Gasol has been the subject of intense trade speculation since the start of the season when he was included in a deal for Chris Paul that was ultimately nixed by NBA officials.

Gasol has been linked to deals with Chicago, Minnesota, Houston, and Indiana in recent weeks. The most prominent rumor was a trade involving Michael Beasley or Derrick Williams of the Timberwolves.

The Lakers are in a bit of a conundrum with a possible Gasol trade. The club wants to get younger, yet they also don't want to risk giving up on the current season. Kobe Bryant has been vocal about not stringing Gasol and club around with possible trades, and for management to take a firm stance on a Gasol trade. Should Gasol be traded for a young player in a rebuilding move, the Lakers would risk angering their superstar guard.

It's common for deals to take place at the All-Star break, but the Lakers could decide to wait for the March 15 deadline. Gasol has played considerably well in his last two games against top Western Conference foes the Mavericks and Thunder. In his last two starts, Gasol has averaged 23 points per game, and shot 62.5 percent.

Head coach Mike Brown has also shown interest in adding a point guard. There have been several names that have floated around including Gilbert Arenas, Allen Iverson, Jonny Flynn, and Ramon Sessions.

Of the possible point guard additions, Sessions would likely have the biggest impact. The Cleveland Cavaliers guard is averaging 10.4 points per game, and has become somewhat expendable with the strong play of rookie sensation Kyrie Irving.