Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol walks off the court after the Thunder eliminate the Lakers from the playoffs Reuters

The Los Angeles Lakers are set to make some moves before the trade deadline, and the expiring contract of Pau Gasol could be in play. According to latest rumors, the purple-and-golf franchise is reportedly interested in swapping Gasol in exchange for Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Anderson Verajao.

The Lakers are no doubt in a downward trend this offseason, as superstar guard Kobe Bryant continues to recuperate from a knee injury right after spending several months of rehab for his surgically repaired Achilles Heel.

With Bryant still on the sideline, the Lakers are barely competitive against Western Conference elites, relying on a bunch of NBA journeymen (Nick Young, Jodie Meeks & Wesly Johnson), who are surprisingly playing above expectations this season.

Gasol, who will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2013-14 season, is averaging 17 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Before going down with a groin injury, the Spaniard stepped up his play to another level by putting up solid numbers for the Lakers.

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Still, many general managers and NBA analysts are convinced the Lakers won't turn down the opportunity in dumping Gasol's expiring contract and get solid compensation in return before the February 20 trade deadline.

The Suns have already engaged in trade talk with the Lakers before they backed off from discussion because they felt the other team was asking too much in return for the aging big man. The Lakers were reportedly asking the top 2 of the four picks the Suns could in this coming draft, which is expected to feature the deepest talent pool in the last 10 years.

"The Phoenix Suns have stopped talks to acquire Pau Gasol because they feel the Lakers want too much for the veteran post player, according to a person familiar with the situation," Fox Sports reported.

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Gasol for Verajao Swap

With the trade deadline approaching, the Lakers' chance of trading Gasol becomes thinner as days pass by. The Cavs, who previously had a discussion in trading for Gasol in exchange for then disgruntled center Andrew Bynum, have reportedly stayed in contact with the Lakers with the hope of pulling on the trigger for another trade talk involving the All-Star power forward.

"Speaking of the Cavaliers, ESPN reports that the Lakers have stayed in contact with Cleveland regarding a possible Gasol deal, though nothing is happening on that front right now due to the Cavs' record being just as bad as L.A.'s," Lakerholics reported.

Sam Amico of Fox Sports reported the Lakers' desire to acquire Verajao, but the Cavs had no plan then to part ways with the versatile big man. However, with the Cavs expected to clean the house after another frustrating season, the Brazilian center could be on the move soon.