Spurs' Gasol denies requesting trade
It's been a frustrating season for San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol, who missed 26 games due to a stress fracture in his left foot and is averaging career lows in scoring, rebounding, and assists.
But while the situation has been far from ideal, Gasol isn't looking for a change of scenery and denied recent reports that he's asked the Spurs for a trade.
"What's the source? What's the validity of that story? I don't know," Gasol said, according to ESPN's Michael C. Wright. "I didn't request to be traded."
The Spaniard has been averaging 9.8 minutes of action since his return to the lineup compared to 17.5 in the nine games prior to his injury. It's a far cry from his previous two seasons, during which Gasol started 102 games for San Antonio.
The 38-year-old knows he's past his prime but remains passionate about the game and believes he can still have a positive impact.
"I think people understand or can figure out my situation on the team is not what was expected from me," he said. "And my only wish and desire is to be able to contribute to the team, and be able to be on the floor and do what I'm supposed to do, and do what I signed here to do, and kind of live up to what I'm paid for. That's all.
"I'm waiting and hoping that that will happen. I'm staying positive."
Gasol is in the second season of a three-year, $48-million deal with $6.7 million guaranteed for the 2019-20 season. He's averaging 10.1 points and 7.4 boards across 167 career appearances for the Spurs.