Pau Gasol Hopes Lakers Put Up Billboards for Him Like Dwight Howard

Desperate for his return, the Los Angeles Lakers have reduced themselves to begging free agent center Dwight Howard to re-sign with the team, and he might still end up leaving. Pau Gasol, whose contract expires next summer, is hoping for similar public displays of affection from the team (though he doubts that will happen). Per Catalunya Radio, via Lakers Nation: “When asked about how his future will be affected if Dwight Howard re-signs, Gasol doesn’t believe the Lakers will automatically trade or amnesty him, but acknowledged that those chances would increase: ‘I don’t think that Howard re-signing with the Lakers puts me out of the team for sure, but I guess the chances would grow. I know the Lakers are pushing hard trying to keep Howard with a spectacular campaign in Los Angeles, putting banners in key spots.’ While discussing the #STAYD12 banners around Los Angeles, Gasol decided to comment on his upcoming free agency and jokingly hopes that he receives the same treatment as Howard: ‘I hope they (Lakers) do the same for me next season when I become a free agent…I doubt it.'”