The Los Angeles Lakers have roughly a month left to make a decision on the future of All-Star power forward Pau Gasol. However, with the Spaniard's all set to test the free-agency market this summer, the purple-and-gold have no option but to trade him before the Feb 20 deadline.

In the latest report by CBS NBA insider Ken Berger, the Lakers are reportedly attempting to trade Gasol in exchange for an athletic power forward who could flourish in Mike D'Antoni's run-and-gun offense. However, NBA insiders believed it would be a tall order for the Lakers to get a solid player in return for trading Gasol, whose trade value plummeted.

"The Lakers are combing the trade market for an athletic power forward who fits Mike D'Antoni's system, though it isn't clear how high they're aiming. If LA is looking for a premium player in return for Pau Gasol, league sources say Gasol's trade value has plummeted to the point where such a deal is unrealistic," Berger stated.

"Also, rival executives are skeptical that the Lakers would be willing to cut into future cap space, especially with an Eastern Conference executive telling CBSSports.com this week that "everyone knows" 2015 free agent Kevin Love wants to sign with LA," the analyst added.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak stressed in a recent press conference that the team has no plans to tank this season in order for them to get a high pick in next year's draft. Indeed, the Lakers still have a first round pick in the much ballyhooed 2014 Draft, and apparently that pick can help them unload Gasol's huge expiring contract and receive a solid compensation from that deal.

Making a Gamble

At this point of the season, the Lakers have the options to tank or continue the fight with the hope of squeaking into the playoff picture of a very competitive Western Conference race.

Tanking for sure won't guarantee them a chance to land the top-three picks and draft franchise-changing prospects like Andrew Wiggins, Jabbari Parker and Julius Randle because a bunch of miserable Eastern Conference teams will likely get most of the pingpong balls in the lottery.

If Kupchak wants to play safe and make the most of Gasol's expiring contract, the best possible trade partner he can get is the Philadelphia 76ers, which is making an athletic young power forward available for trade. His name is Thaddeus Young.

Young, who averaged 17.8 points and 6.6 rebounds this season, has been on the trading block since the start of the season. Many basketball insider consider the youngster as the most attractive trade target available, not only because of his ability to fill in the stats sheets.

Sixers General Manager Sam Hinkie really covets a first-round pick in this summer's draft. In fact, he was even willing to send Young to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange of disgruntled centre Andrew Bynum, as long as a first-round pick was included in the package. Unfortunately, trade talks between the Sixers and Cavs did not progress.

"I heard the Cavs flirted with trying to acquire him in the Bynum deal, but the Sixers wanted the Cavs first rounder this year to do it. The Cavs balked," said Chad Ford of ESPN Sports Nation.

Trade Packages

The Lakers can put a package that consists of Pau Gasol and 2014 first round pick in exchange for Young and possibly Tony Wroten.

Young perfectly fits D'Antoni's up-tempo system, but the inclusion of Wroten in the deal would be a bonus for the Lakers. The 20-year-old playmaker has been dynamic for the Sixers this season, averaging 13.5 points, 3.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds in only 25.3 minutes per game. However, Wroten can surely pad up his numbers when given enough playing time on the floor.

Young is entitled to receive at least $9 million next season and can opt out from his contract in 2015. If he does opt out, the Lakers will have the cap space to sign All-Star power forward Kevin Love. Wroten, on the other hand, is still in his rookie contract.

Meanwhile, the Sixers can create more salary space if they decide to let Gasol walk away at the end of the 2013-2014 season. All the Sixers want is to add another first-round pick, which could turn into another cornerstone of the team alongside Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel.

For more Lakers Trade rumours, read IBT Sports