Sam Smith of Bulls.com reported earlier this week that Pau Gasol would have interest in playing in Chicago if the Bulls and Lakers were able to work out a trade. However, Gasol reiterated to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times that he continues to want to play in Los Angeles for as long as he can.
"My position is still the same," Gasol said. "I still would love to be a part of the Lakers and continue to be here to help the team win more championships as soon as possible. It's out of my control and it's out of my hands, no matter what."
Here are a couple more Wednesday morning notes on Gasol and the Lakers….
- Within Medina's piece, Gasol added that he had no idea where the Bulls rumor came from: "It's pointless to really worry about it. I'm totally cool with it, whatever they say. The stories will appear and then disappear on something that does or doesn't happen again. It sucks to be in that position, but it is what it is."
- Daniel Buerge of LakersNation.com passes along a quote from Stephen A. Smith on ESPN Radio suggesting Lamar Odom "desperately" wants to return to the Lakers. According to Smith, there's mutual interest between Odom and coach Mike Brown, who will reportedly talk to the Lakers' front office about the possibility.
- It's worth mentioning when it comes to the possibility of an Odom/Lakers reunion that even if the Mavericks release the former Sixth Man of the Year, he can't sign with Los Angeles until after December 10th — a year after the team traded him to Dallas.
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