ESP/USA – Pau’s focus on work, not trade rumors

LOS ANGELES (NBA/Olympics) - The NBA lockout is coming to an end with players due to be with their teams at training camps on Friday.

Among those eager to begin playing again has been Los Angeles Lakers big man Pau Gasol, who this summer helped lead Spain to a successful EuroBasket title defense that qualified the team for the London Games.

Gasol made the all-tournament team in Lithuania after leading his national team with averages in points (20.1), rebounds (8.3) and blocks (1.7).

Instead of signing for Barcelona or another leading team in Europe during the lockout, Gasol waited patiently for the labor dispute to an end and he breathed a sigh of relief when it did.

Now, with the delayed start to the NBA campaign on Christmas day, Gasol finds himself the subject of trade speculation in the media.

Chris Paul and Dwight Howard, Team USA players at the Beijing Games, have been linked with moves to the Lakers and Gasol’s name has surfaced in reports.

There has been so much hype about a possible deal that Gasol, the MVP of the 2006 FIBA World Championship and EuroBasket 2009, has decided to comment on his website.

He wrote: "We're close to starting. A lot rumors in recent days. I am just focusing on my daily work and the excitement of getting back to playing with my team."

Gasol won NBA titles with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010.

FIBA