Pau Gasol completed his exit interview today and was immediately asked to address the idea of whether or not Dwight will affect his future in LA:
“I don’t think its 100% attached to that. I think the franchise would like to keep Dwight and will do what it takes to keep Dwight here. But that doesn’t mean that if he’s here, I’m automatically gone. At least that’s what I understood.”
That sounds hopeful. However, doubtful. Dwight Howard is younger than Pau, and if he improves, can ultimately draw more ticket sales than Gasol can, especially from younger fans that appreciate explosion in a basketball game. Even though that idea is riding on the concept that Dwight does improve and gets back to the power he was in Orlando, it seems a more likely choice to keep him. The Lakers cannot afford to have both players on their roster, and I am confident in taking the jump to say that one of them will go this summer.
Mitch Kupchak couldn’t say whether or not Dwight would stay with the Lakers. He was “hopeful” and “optimistic” that Dwight Howard would re-sign. Dwight’s free agency won’t start until July 1st, and the big man has made it clear he plans to take the time to talk about his future.
Once again, Kobe Bryant stood up for his comrade Pau today when speaking with the media. The guard told reporters:
“To me it’s a no-brainer. We need (Pau) to get where we want to go.”
Gasol only averaged 13.7 points and 8.6 rebounds this season, as he suffered a number of injuries. But Kobe has been through a lot with his teammate, including winning a couple titles. It is nice to see Bryant have every bit of faith with Pau Gasol still.
Here it is, the complete list of LN’s player evaluations. Make sure to read up on our season grades, and leave a comment on why you agree or disagree. Lakers Nation also took the time to rate the entire season. Check that out here.
Lakers Nations News
Lakers News: Mitch Kupchak Unsure Whether Dwight Howard Will Return
Is Pau Gasol’s Lakers Future Dependent Upon Dwight Howard?
Complete List of 2012-13 Lakers Nation Player Evaluations
Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Says Lakers Need Pau Gasol To Win Titles
Lakers News: Antawn Jamison Undergoes Successful Wrist Surgery
NBA News: Toronto Raptors Want Phil Jackson As Team President
Lakers Nation 2012-13 Player Evaluations: Metta World Peace
Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Tweets Support for Jason Collins
Lakers Nation 2012-13 Player Evaluations: Steve Nash
Lakers Nation 2012-13 Player Evaluations: Darius Morris
Lakers Nation 2012-13 Player Evaluations: Antawn Jamison
Lakers Nation 2012-13 Player Evaluations: Chris Duhon
Lakers News: Lakers Nation Grades the 2012-13 Season
Lakers News
The Worst Part of the Failed 2012-2013 Lakers Season [Silver Screen and Roll]
Lakers Fell Far Below Expectations [ESPN]
Nash Hopeful Dwight Returns to the Lakers [LA Times]
Five Things the Lakers Should Do on Their Summer Vacation (Starting With Re-signing Howard) [ProBasketballTalk]
Think the Lakers Should Let Dwight Howard Go? Think Again [LA Times]
Lakers Exit Interviews: Day 1 Highlights [ESPN]
Pau Gasol is Working on an Inspirational Photography Book [Ball Don’t Lie]
Lakers Plot Uncertain Future After Failed Season [Yahoo Sports]
The Season That Was, Hopefully Not What Will Be [Forum Blue and Gold]
Kobe Bryant Gets Stitches Removed 17 Days After Surgery [LA Times]
Lakers Must Form Offensive Identity Without Bryant [ESPN]
Antawn Jamison Has Wrist Surgery, Skips Lakers Exit Interview [ProBasketballTalk]
Oddsmakers Expect Dwight Howard to Re-sign with the Lakers [LA Times]
The Los Angeles Lakers? Gone Till November [Ball Don’t Lie]
Metta: Too Much Pressure on Dwight [ESPN]
What to Expect from the Lakers This Summer [OC Register]
23 Questions: The Lakers and the Summer of 2013 [Land O’ Lakers]
Steve Nash Says He Wants Dwight Howard Back With the Lakers [ProBasketballTalk]
Pau Gasol Prepared for an Uncertain Future With or Without Lakers [LA Times]
Antawn Jamison Has Wrist Surgery [ESPN LA]
Kobe Bryant, Bill Clinton, David Stern and Others Support Jason Collins [Ball Don’t Lie]
NBA News
Bulls-Nets Game 5 Preview: More Nate Robinson Time [ProBasketballTalk]
Five Things that Went Wrong for the Toronto Raptors [Yahoo Sports]
2013 NBA Mock Draft: Jeff Goodman [CBS]
Earl Monroe Recounts the Time that he Accidentally Smoked Angel Dust at Bubba Smith’s House [Ball Don’t Lie]
In Case You Missed it, Jason Terry Owned Overtime Sunday in Boston (VIDEO) [ProBasketballTalk]
Why so Many NBA Players May be Supporting Jason Collins [Land O’ Lakers]
Nuggets-Warriors: Is Stephen Curry on Fire or Just Aware? [Eye on Basketball]
Clippers Can Make Up for Lakers’ Los Angeles Failings [USA Today]
Video Proof Kyrie Irving Can Pretty Much Own a College Pickup Game [ProBasketballTalk]
Dwyane Wade is Really Afraid of Birds [For The Win]
Memphis at Los Angeles Clippers [CBS]
Jason Collins Discusses Coming Out with ABC; TNT Crew, Stern, Others React to Announcement [Ball Don’t Lie]
Raptors pursuing Jackson [Yahoo Sports]
Serge Ibaka Misses Bunny at the Buzzer in Thunder Loss (VIDEO) [ProBasketballTalk]
