Lakers Reportedly Considering Bringing Pau Gasol Off the Bench


Pau Gasol has been struggling as of late, and though trade rumors were steadily shot down by the Lakers, the LA Times is reporting that the team may be thinking about moving the big man into more of a reserve role: “The Lakers are debating whether to bring Pau Gasol off the bench when he returns from knee tendinitis, said a person familiar with the team’s thinking. Gasol has struggled mightily this season, averaging 12.6 points and shooting only 42%, both career lows. The Lakers are trying to decide how a demotion to the bench would affect Gasol. If they determined it would be adverse, they’d keep him in the starting lineup. It was unclear when Gasol would return, though it could be Sunday against Utah at Staples Center. The Lakers then take off for another road trip, to Cleveland, New York, Washington and Philadelphia. Before Friday’s game, Gasol worked out on an elliptical machine. He has not started running again.”