Lakers looking for draft help in a potential deal for Pau Gasol

The Lakers and Phoenix Suns have engaged in trade talks for Pau Gasol, though there is one main holdup to a deal being consummated. The Lakers want a better first-round pick than what the Suns currently offer.

The Suns (29-18) are surprisingly good this season, making their draft pick correspondingly low (23rd overall). They own at least one other pick in the NBA draft in June, Indiana's first-round selection, currently 30th overall. It was unclear which of the two picks the Suns were willing to trade as part of the Gasol offer.

A trade could still happen with the Suns between now and the Feb.20 trade deadline, but the Lakers planned to field other offers for Gasol, according to an official familiar with the situation.