Pau Gasol on trade rumors: 'This is my team, this is my city'

For years, Pau Gasol was the starting center for the powerful Los Angeles Lakers, now he's the center of continuous trade rumors. 

As Gasol and his hefty $19 million expiring contract are discussed in possible trade destinations with Cleveland and Chicago, the 33-year-old is content with staying with the Lakers. 

“Yeah, I mean, this is my home, it’s my team,” Gasol told the Los Angeles Daily News. “It’s a team that I’ve been through so much with and I’m not the type of guy that likes to jump ship because everything is not going right right now.”

Gasol has played in 491 games over seven seasons with the Lakers, won two championships and was named an All-Star three separate occasions, but Gasol and the Lakers are a shell over their former self. Injuries and inconsistency have the Lakers sitting six games out of the playoffs and are losers of 10 of their last 13 games. Gasol is averaging 15.1 points a game - his second lowest total of his career- and is shooting a career worst 44 percent from the field. Despite all of this, the Spaniard has no aspirations of leaving. 

“I’m a loyal guy and I like would like to continue to be here and fight with the guys who are here and once we get bodies back, everything will be better. But right now, I would like to continue to stay here and just ... this is my team, this is my city.”