Spaniard expected to miss next three games with groin strain.
The Phoenix Suns are continuing trade talks with the Los Angeles Lakers regarding Pau Gasol, but are keen to monitor his recovery from a groin injury first.
The four-time All-Star center has been linked with a move before the February 20 deadline, but after another set of talks on Monday, Phoenix will await medical updates prior to making an official move.
Gasol is averaging an impressive 20.8 points and 11.9 rebounds in January, but has previously had issues this season after questioning how he was being used as the Lakers struggle through the year.
He will miss the next three games with his groin strain, for which he has received a PRP injection to help the healing, but the Suns remains interested as they look to boost their push for the post-season and beyond.
Phoenix have $5.6 million in available salary cap space, but are reportedly set to offer the expiring contract of injured big man Emeka Okafor for Gasol, while the Lakers will benefit from the deal by moving closer out of the luxury tax threshold, as reported by ESPN.
The Spaniard has previously been involved in trade discussions this season, but a move to the Cleveland Cavaliers broke down after the Lakers were adamant that they wanted to receive another asset as part of the deal.
Instead, Andrew Bynum was traded to the Chicago Bulls for Luol Deng, with the former being immediately waived as the Bulls saved a significant amount on salary cap space.
The Suns are pushing to acquire a proven veteran who won’t slice into the projected cap-space riches and future summers, while also looking at the short-term picture as they look set for a post-season berth in the Western Conference.
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