Los Angeles Lakers show interest in Knicks' Iman Shumpert, Tyson Chandler

With Pau Gasol struggling again and their backcourt hit by the injury bug, the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly called the New York Knicks about possible reinforcements.

ESPN's Chris Broussard reported that the Lakers have inquired about Knicks guard Iman Shumpert and center Tyson Chandler.

Shumpert has been getting the cold shoulder from the Knicks after enjoying a solid season last year. With the Lakers short on point guards and Kobe Bryant playing with the ball in his hands a little more, the Lakers are looking to Shumpert to help hold the fort until Jordan Farmar, Steve Blake, or Steve Nash comes back.  

The Denver Nuggets and Tornto raptors have also been discussed as possible trade partners for Shumpert.

As far as Chandler goes, the Knicks say they aren't willing to move him but anything is possible, especially of they find a sweetheart of a deal. Why the Lakers would want to take on Chandler's contract and his health concerns are beyond me, unless they would take on Gasol.

Pau Gasol will go to Germany to get treatment on knees

This season has turned out to be a huge struggle for the Los Angeles Lakers, and with the team down 0-3 heading into Sunday's game 4 matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, it seems probable the suffering will end soon.  The biggest reason as to why it has been such a tough year is because of all the injuries the members of the squad have experienced, as the team never was healthy enough to develop the proper team chemistry necessary to cause serious damage.  One player who has dealt with his fair share of injuries is 7 footer Pau Gasol.  Currently, the big man is playing through soreness in his knees due to tendonosis, and it seems he may consider flying to Germany this summer to undergo the legendary platelet-rich plasma procedure.  Via Mark Medina of the LA Daily News:

Gasol was asked if he might consider going to Germany in the offseason to undergo a derivation of the platelet-rich plasma procedure.

"I have to do something to regenerate the tissue," Gasol said, "so I don't have to play with this pain."

'I'll go to wherever I need to go," Gasol said. "It's a possibility.'"

I refer to the procedure as "legendary" because Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant underwent the exact same process on his injured right knee in July of 2011.  The procedure did wonders for the Mamba, as his knee did not bother him at all the next season and he was able to run up and down the floor smoothly.  Hopefully for Pau Gasol, the PRP therapy will work the same way it did for Bryant and he no longer will have to play through constant knee pain.

It is worth mentioning Gasol will also be playing through the pain from the torn plantar fascia in his right foot he suffered in February.  In addition, it seems the power forward suffered a torn ligament in his right middle finger and will be playing game 4 with a splint.  Via the OC Register's Kevin Ding on Twitter:

"Pau told and showed me yesterday he tore a ligament in his right middle finger in Game 3. He plans to wear a splint today."

Just add this to the list of injuries which have destroyed any hope of the team succeeding in the postseason.

Rubio would take Pau Gasol on his team

Minnesota Timberwolves guard, Ricky Rubio is standing up for Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol. Rubio doesn't think it's right that Gasol is being brought off the bench and playing limited fourth quarter minutes in some games. Rubio or Gasol don't think it's right that Earl Clark has been starting in his place.

Gasol has also been the subject of trade rumors the past two years and Rubio would gladly take him on his  Timberwolves squad if the Lakers don't want him.

 "He proved to the league he is one of the best," Rubio said. "He can pass. He can shoot. He can rebound. He can do a lot of things. I think if you use him in the right way he is a top player in this league. If they don't want him, we are more than welcome to get him."

"It's been the last two years that it seems like they don't want him, but actually they need him," Rubio said. "He's a great player. He can do a lot of things and he had some issues with the knees, too. It's been a lot of years without resting for him. But he's a veteran. He knows how to play."

Even though Gasol is having a tough year, the Timberwolves would have to give up something of significant value (Kevin Love) to get Gasol. Minnesota has been mentioned as a possible trade partner, but I don't see it happening. No matter how much Rubio wants his fellow countryman on his team.

Gasol has said that he wants to remain a Laker, but he must swallow his pride and just play ball. Maybe if he focused on that and blocked out his distractions, he and the Lakers can turn their season around.