USA - Gasol future uncertain

MEMPHIS (NBA) - Spain international Pau Gasol has hinted he could be on his way out of Memphis.

With speculation mounting over the Grizzlies center’s future, Gasol was on Sunday asked whether he has demanded a trade so far this season. He side-stepped the question.

"I don't want to comment on that right now because I don't want it to be a distraction to me or the team," Gasol told Memphis Commercial Appeal. "It's not beneficial to anybody. Whatever happens is yet to be seen."

Gasol is reported to have made his desire to leave known to team insiders even before last month’s sacking of coach Mike Fratello.

The 26-year-old is concerned as to where the team is heading.

"I don't really know the direction of the franchise," he said.

After adding that he wants to play in a winning team, he continued: "Everybody wants that. Personally, to me, it's really important to be in that situation and have a chance to grow."

Grizzlies team president Jerry West admitted he had been in contact with Chicago Bulls general manager John Paxson about Gasol.

"The conversation was brief," West said. "But we're not giving him away. This franchise won't give him away. Period."

Majority owner Michael Heisley reiterated that stance, but did acknowledge that every player has a price.

"If we trade Pau we're looking to substantially improve the team for the future or we would be looking to get more picks in this draft," he said.

"If we can improve the team, we would trade Pau. But there's a difference when you've made up your mind like with Jason Williams and Bonzi Wells. Pau Gasol is
not available in that sense. I don't make trades.

"But if Jerry came to me with a trade that would improve this team, Pau will be traded. Jerry is always exploring possibilities."

However, Heisley warned interested parties: "If you think Pau is on a fire-sale list, you're crazy.

"I like the young man a lot. There's no question he's the only franchise-type player we've got... Whether you trade Pau or not depends on what's brought to you."

PA Sport