Talks reportedly stalled between the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers for a trade involving Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. The Lakers had also reportedly reached out to the Brooklyn Nets about trading Gasol for Brook Lopez, something the Nets promptly rejected.
Although the talks aren't dead, they stalled because Los Angeles wants an additional asset from Cleveland, according to ESPN.
"The major issue, sources said, involves the Lakers' desire to get an additional asset from the Cavs beyond Bynum's team-friendly contract, which could save the Lakers more than $20 million in salary and luxury taxes," ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne wrote on Thursday. "The Lakers are interested in also getting a young prospect or first-round draft pick as part of the deal.
"The Cavs have been reluctant to part with either."
If the Lakers were to get Bynum, it's almost certain they would immediately waive him to save millions. Bynum's one-year deal with Cleveland has a clause which allows the team not to pay the second half of his salary if he is released before Jan. 7.
Acquiring Bynum would allow the Lakers to fall under the luxury tax threshold for the first time in seven years, giving them more financial flexibility for the future.
While the Lakers are enticed by Bynum's team-friendly contract, ESPN reported the team is hesitant to make any big moves before seeing how their current roster, when healthy again, performs on the court. Los Angeles is without Kobe Bryant, Steve Blake, Steve Nash and Jordan Farmar.
Los Angeles also contacted the Nets about a trade involving Gasol and Lopez, prior to Lopez's season-ending injury. Brooklyn was uninterested and "balked at the idea when it was presented," according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
Gasol's contract expires after the season.
