According to reports, the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers have had "discussions" about a trade that would send Pau Gasol to the Cavs in exchange for Andrew Bynum, but no deal appears to be imminent.
According to ESPN, though the teams haven't committed to making the swap they are both mulling over working out a deal ahead of the Jan. 7 deadline of when the second half of Bynum's $12.25 million salary would be guaranteed.
The Cavaliers could conceivably be looking to move Bynum for disciplinary reasons as the team suspended him for one game over the weekend for conduct detrimental to the team and have excused him indefinitely for all basketball and team activities, which includes games.
ESPN reports that if the Lakers trade four-time All-Star Gasol for Bynum and then waive him, they can save more than $20 million in salaries and luxury taxes in order to give them financial flexibility going forward.
The report also indicates that the trade wouldn't be straight up as it would have to include at least one more player and possibly other assets from the Cavaliers. The Lakers have been luxury tax payers for six straight seasons.
The Lakers reportedly won't part with Gasol without getting a valuable return.
According to ESPN, the Cavs have also had discussions with the Chicago Bulls about trading Bynum for Luol Deng in the event that a trade with the Lakers doesn't materialize. The Bulls could save about $20 million in salary if they pull off a trade and waive deal for Bynum. Deng, like Gasol, will be a free agent after this season.
Gasol is averaging 14.7 points and 9.4 rebounds while shooting a career-low 43 percent from the field. He is in the final year of a $19 million contract.
Bynum won two NBA championships and was an All-Star with the Lakers before he was traded for Dwight Howard in 2012. Bynum has averaged 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 24 games with the Cavs.
It remains to be seen if the deal will be done, but for now both sides are mulling a possible trade.
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