http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketba ... 22.article
Trade rumors don't faze Gasol
January 22, 2008
BY BRIAN HANLEY
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Although Monday marked one month until the NBA trade deadline, Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol no longer is preoccupied with the idea of being dealt to the Bulls.
''I thought about it a lot last year,'' Gasol told the Memphis Commercial Appeal, referring to serious trade talks between the teams. ''I don't think about it anymore because I know where it got me, which was nowhere. I let it affect me too much last year. It was stressful.
''Right now, it's nothing for me to worry about because it's out of my hands. I want to focus on my game and help my team win. If something else happens, then it happens. But until something happens, there's nothing going on.''
Talks involving Gasol (19.3 points, 8.8 rebounds per game) going to the Bulls quieted in December but could be revived if the Bulls find themselves in a playoff race. Memphis reportedly wants to include Brian Cardinal, who's owed $13 million over the next two seasons, in any deal for Gasol. In return, the Grizzlies likely would want Andres Nocioni, Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah.
The Bulls have balked at including Nocioni, whom Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace pursued as a restricted free agent last summer. Nocioni said he was surprised Wallace never tendered an offer.
''He came to Buenos Aires and told me how they needed me and about what he wanted to do in the future with his team,'' Nocioni said. ''We talked for one hour. It wasn't close. Then Chicago gave me the offer [five years at $37.5 million], and I'm happy to be a Bull because it's the organization that gave me the opportunity to play in the NBA.''
One report had the Bulls also interested in Grizzlies forward Hakim Warrick. Bulls GM John Paxson has vowed to keep any trade talk as private as possible, but coach Jim Boylan was asked Monday about his input on potential trades.
''I talk to John a lot about our roster and our players,'' he said. ''I'm sure if things come up and John feels that my input is needed, he'll ask my opinion about guys. I've been in the league a long time, and I feel I have a grasp on players and what they can do to help the team.
''As of right now, it's been kind of quiet. I'm sure John's working behind the scenes to see if there's anything that he can do to improve our team, just like every other GM in the league is doing.''
And Boylan believes Nocioni is an integral part of the Bulls' future success.
''Noce has brought so much, some of it you can't even measure,'' he said. ''His work ethic, his toughness and the way he conducts himself every day is a good example for our young players. He puts his work in and plays through pain. He performs at a high level and brings it every night. We appreciate that as a coaching staff and a team.''