Late this morning, sources close to the situation downplayed rumors of a trade that would send Pau Gasol to the Cleveland Cavaliers, returning Andrew Bynum to the Lakers roster.
Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times reported just moments ago:
"...the Lakers would want more value for Gasol in a trade and, additionally, that it would be a stretch for the Lakers to reacquire Bynum, who is indefinitely suspended by the Cavaliers for conduct detrimental to the team."
Notice what was not included in the quote above? A denial, that is what is missing.
Instead, the person familiar with the talks stressed the necessity of getting more in return for sending Gasol out of Los Angeles. Draft pick? Perhaps.
To answer the burning question of why the Lakers would want the problem man-child named Andrew Bynum back in purple and gold, is that they don't.
The team, according to the NBA analysts who have buzzed all morning about this news, would waive Bynum, leaving him available as a pickup in the free agent market.