HoopsHype.com Rumors

Though league sources acknowledge that it would be difficult for Howard to leave LA and its off-court branding opportunities, Howard would find himself in somewhat of a dead-end in terms of the talent surrounding him with the Lakers going forward. If the Lakers re-signed Howard, even the bold move of amnestying Pau Gasol and his $19.3 million contract would leave them too far over the luxury-tax line to have access to anything beyond the taxpayer mid-level exception and minimum contracts to improve the roster. Teams that are $4 million or more above the tax line cannot use the full mid-level or bi-annual exceptions to sign free agents. Also, Kobe Bryant, 35, is coming off surgery to repair a torn Achilles' tendon. CBSSports.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard 

Everyone knows the deal: Pau Gasol to the Lakers for his chubby, unheralded younger brother Marc Gasol, bust Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and a couple first-round draft picks. Stunning criticism crushed Wallace for getting fleeced while being backhandedly credited for handing the post-Shaquille O’Neal Lakers the keys to certain championships. “I expect the media to shoot from the hip and not study the deal. That’s to be expected,” Wallace said. “I just shook my head. I had never seen that kind of response from inside the league. I don’t deny that was the assist for two Lakers championships, but we had to shake things up. We had never won a playoff game. We had been in the 20s [wins] and there was complete apathy in our market. Calipari and the Tigers were roaring at the time. "When we went around the league, we weren’t going to get a tit-for-tat deal. We wanted to bring our salary structure down, get assets and draft picks. And no one else had a Marc Gasol.” NBA.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Pau Gasol, Chris Wallace, Marc Gasol 

Marc Gasol attended high school in Memphis as Pau was becoming the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. At 18, he returned to Spain to begin his professional career in the Spanish ACB league, largely considered the world’s second-most competitive league. In 2007-08 he was tearing it up. "He was trending up so much at the time. He was on pace to be the ACB MVP,” Wallace said. “I said it at the time, I felt like the little boy crying wolf. There was no question Pau was going to flourish next to Kobe and could win several titles, but this deal couldn’t be judged for several years.” NBA.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Pau Gasol, Chris Wallace, Marc Gasol 

The Lakers' cap situation is atrocious. Don't be shocked if they trade forward/center Pau Gasol, who is recovering from a knee procedure and needs another 10 weeks of rehabilitation. The 7-footer is entering the final year of his contract and will earn $19.28 million next year. The Cavs might be open to a deal like that, adding a veteran player to the group of youngsters on the roster. Another name could be Celtics forward Paul Pierce. News-Herald

Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Paul Pierce, Trade, Pau Gasol 

Pau Gasol: After valuing the period of the rehabilitation, which I have already initiated, with my medical team of confidence, I sadly confirm that I won't play in the next European Championship of Slovenia despite I wished it. My priority aim is to recover myself thinking in the next season and to be ready, if I'm asked to, for the next challenge with the national team, the World Cup of Spain 2014. paugasol.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Injuries, Eurobasket 

Marc Mundet: Pau Gasol won't play Eurobasket 2013. Official. Twitter @MarcMundet78

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Eurobasket 

Mike Bresnahan: Pau Gasol will need 12 weeks to return to basketball-related activities after today's knee procedure, the Lakers said. Twitter @Mike_Bresnahan

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Injuries 

Marc Mundet: Ricky Rubio to RAC1: "We knew Pau had physical problems. In this case, he'd be a little bit selfish but he's given a lot to Spain NT. We'll wait Pau for next summer". Twitter @MarcMundet78

Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Pau Gasol, Ricky Rubio, Spain 

Lakers forward Pau Gasol, who has been suffering from tendonosis in both knees, will undergo a FAST Technique procedure tomorrow. The procedure uses a probe inserted into the knee which directs ultrasonic energy to eliminate scar tissue without damaging healthy tissue. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Steven Yoon of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Group. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Injuries 

Dave McMenamin: The timeline for Pau's recovery will be announced after the procedure Twitter @mcten

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Injuries 

Pau Gasol: After talking to several specialists, I'm going to proceed to regenerate both of my patellar tendons and working hard to get back to my 100% Twitter @paugasol

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Injuries 

Mark Heisler: This just in: Source w/knowledge of #Laker discussions says keeping Pau, bringing this team back isn't merely an option, it's now Plan A. Twitter @MarkHeisler

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol 

Eric Pincus: "I want Pau here" - what Kobe said to Kupchak in exit interview Twitter @EricPincus

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol 

Kamenetzky Brothers: Pau on constant trade rumors: "I accept it... There's a possibility that I could be gone, there's a possibility I could stay." BK Twitter @KamBrothers

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol 

Dave McMenamin: Pau: "I'd prefer to stay. I've always been a pretty loyal guy. I feel like I belong with the Lakers" Twitter @mcten

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol 

Mike Bresnahan: Pau on vetoed Chris Paul trade: "I was pretty much gone and something happened and it was stopped by the NBA, which is pretty random." Twitter @Mike_Bresnahan

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol 

Mike Trudell: Gasol's knees were an issue all season, and the plantar fascia tear made moving difficult, but he thinks he'll get right for next season. Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Injuries 

Pau Gasol: It's amazing to see such courage from @Jason Collins in today's announcement. Myself and the #NBAFamily supports you Jason! Twitter @paugasol

Pau Gasol, Jason Collins 

Is it hard to see the future, with Dwight being a free agent, and Kobe being hurt and facing a long rehab? Pau Gasol: It's uncertain. Definitely, to say the least, it's uncertain. The franchise has decisions to make in the offseason, and they'll make them, and that's totally out of our control. There's no point in thinking about them. But it has been a difficult year. I don't know what's going to happen next year and who's going to be here, and who's not going to be here, and under what circumstances. So that's about it. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Pau Gasol 

Will you have a discussion with Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss about your future? Pau Gasol: Yeah. It'll be a discussion for sure. There's no doubt about it. We all have to look to the future, and to the immediate future. Next season, it's important for everyone, for myself, for the team. I'm sure there's going to be talks. All the parties care. I'd love to continue to be here, continue to help the team be the best it can be, and be on board as much as I can. That's my thought process. But we have to be on the same page. I want to make it work. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Mitch Kupchak, Jim Buss