Pau Gasol Not Bothered by Vetoed Trade to Houston

The Los Angeles Lakers were close to acquiring All-Star point guard Chris Paul this summer and as part of the three-team deal which included the New Orleans Hornets and Houston Rockets, Pau Gasol would have headed to Houston. Gasol was on the verge of changing locations, but a last-second veto by David Stern stopped the trade.

As a result, Gasol and Lamar Odom ‘returned’ to the Lakers and Chris Paul remained a Hornet. Eventually, however, Odom was dealt to the Mavericks and Paul found a new home with the Clippers, but the Lakers kept Gasol.

Unlike, Odom, Gasol did not publicly express his sadness with the Lakers ‘trading’ him and handled the situation quite professionally.

And tonight, the Lakers will play the Houston Rockets, the team that Gasol almost called his own. When asked if the near trade will bring up any memories or feelings, Gasol essentially replied with a ‘no.’

Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles reports:

“Maybe. Maybe one or two, but once I get into the game I’m too focused right now to try to help the team win,” Gasol said. “No matter who we’re facing, it’s a game that we want to win and we want to continue to especially win our home games and then go on the road and do a better job.”

Gasol has not been bothered with the nixed trade and his game has improved greatly since his 2011 post-season performance. Gasol is much more dominate and it is clear that he wants to prove to the coaches and the critics that he can still be a force in the paint for the Lakers.

Whether Gasol remains with the Lakers or if he is shipped somewhere else, everyone needs to applaud him for his maturity during this hectic time.

You May Also Like

Luke Walton Sees Brandon Ingram Playing ‘Multiple Positions’ For Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers made Brandon Ingram the second overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft and the early returns after Summer League seem promising…

Mark Cuban: ‘Jerry Buss Is The Best In The History Of The NBA’

[new_royalslider id=”189″] Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is one of the most…

Luke Walton Wants Lakers To ‘Stick Together’ During Tough December Schedule

The Los Angeles Lakers are somewhat shockingly in the hunt for the playoffs through the first 21 games of the season…

Frank Vogel Unsure Of Stanley Johnson’s Future But Says Forward Adds Something Unique To Lakers’ Roster

Stanley Johnson has brought in the size, athleticism and defensive skillset the Los Angeles Lakers missed in the first part…