NBA Rumors: Lakers May Try Dealing Away Gasol Once Jordan Officially Signs – Report

For the Los Angeles Lakers, adding another big man in DeAndre Jordan would mean better chances at winning the title in the 2021-22 NBA season. However, it may also mean bad news for veteran cager Marc Gasol, a report has suggested.

Even before the potential addition of Jordan, there were already rumblings that the 36-year-old did not have a promising future with the purple and gold. Anthony Davis and the returning Dwight Howard were already in the fold — meaning the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year was already down to being the third option of head coach Frank Vogel.

Gasol's case went from bad to worse following reports that the Lakers are planning to sign Jordan. The All-Star center, who was recently traded by the Brooklyn Nets to the Detroit Pistons, is expected to sign with Los Angeles once he clears waivers, The Athletic reported.

With that in mind, the future of Gasol with the purple and gold has become bleaker, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic. He suggested that the Spaniard’s time in Hollywood is likely over.

Buha pointed out how Gasol’s time with the Lakers has been on uneven ground as early as last NBA season. Los Angeles took in Andre Drummond — a clear sign that the Lakers were looking at other options to improve their middle position.

Drummond has moved on to the Philadelphia 76ers. But the potential arrival of Jordan hints that the 36-year-old may no longer be part of Vogel’s plans for the coming season.

Once the 6-foot-11 center signs a reported one-year, $2.6 million deal with the Lakers, the place of Gasol on the roster is questionable.

Gasol’s NBA career has been on the decline. Last season, he averaged only 4.1 points and 2.1 assists while shooting just 45.4% from the field.

It remains to be seen if any NBA team would be interested in taking in Gasol. The Lakers could try to trade him and add another player to fill in other roster spots.

As mentioned in a previous post, an option for the three-time All-Star is to head to Europe. Barcelona is reportedly interested in adding him to the team and reunite him with older brother Pau Gasol.