"But don't misunderstand; this negotiation is only in its infancy. What's more, now that Gasol's availability is public, the bidding for his services figures to take a quantum leap."

Maybe the Bulls get give up some draft picks and Nocioni to get Gasol.

I think Memphis just had to aim high. You always do. I think giving them Brown, Gordon, and the Knicks pick should work.

The draft pick is more and more looking like its gonna be a late lottery pick and I don't think the backcourt will suffer that much. We will be better defensively.  Hinrich would be giving the green light to take more shots, which isn't a bad thing. Sefo would allow us to get nice size back there for once.

Oh and remember. Griffin DID start in the Finals last year.

Hinrich
Sefolosha
Deng
Gasol
Wallace

With Noc coming and Du coming off the bench. To me, this team would resemble Dallas a whole lot but with some great defense.

Terry/Hinrich
Deng/Howard
Gasol/Dirk
Dampier/Wallace
Stackhouse/Noc

The 7-footer wants out of Memphis.

Given Gasol's play and the feelers his agent, Arn Tellem, have lobbed around the NBA recently, the Grizzlies are suddenly forced to consider their future without someone they've deemed the franchise player.

Gasol made trade overtures before and after Mike Fratello was fired, according to team insiders. The Spaniard dodged the question when asked Sunday if he's demanded a trade at any point this season.

"I don't want to comment on that right now because I don't want it to be a distraction to me or the team," Gasol said. "It's not beneficial to anybody. Whatever happens is yet to be seen."

Reached Sunday while traveling, team president Jerry West acknowledged a reported conversation with the Chicago Bulls.

West characterized the discussion as cursory to reveal Gasol's availability on the trade market. Bulls general manager John Paxson, however, never mentioned players that he would offer for Gasol.

"The conversation was brief," West said. "But we're not giving him away. This franchise won't give him away. Period."

Gasol, who has four years and more than $60 million left on a maximum contract, is one of the few skilled post players in the league. Still, a Gasol deal with the Bulls could be consummated if they were willing to part with guard Ben Gordon and forward Luol Deng.

Even Griz majority owner Michael Heisley softened his past stance on keeping Gasol, saying he seconded West's sentiment.

Gasol, like anyone on the roster, can be had at the right price.

"If we trade Pau we're looking to substantially improve the team for the future or we would be looking to get more picks in this draft," Heisley said. "If we can improve the team, we would trade Pau. But there's a difference when you've made up your mind like with Jason Williams and Bonzi Wells. Pau Gasol is not available in that sense. I don't make trades. But if Jerry came to me with a trade that would improve this team, Pau will be traded. Jerry is always exploring possibilities."

Heisley also had this message for potential suitors.

"If you think Pau is on a fire sale list, you're crazy," Heisley said. "I like the young man a lot. There's no question he's the only franchise-type player we've got. ... Whether you trade Pau or not depends on what's brought to you."

Privately, the organization is growing dissatisfied with the effort Gasol has brought to work. The perception is that Gasol's lackadaisical defensive and rebounding performances coupled with inconsistent offense are by design to emphasize his desire for a trade.

Asked his thoughts on the team's direction, Gasol sounded concerned.

"I don't really know the direction of the franchise," he said before adding that he ultimately wants to play for a winner.

"Everybody wants that," Gasol said. "Personally, to me, it's really important to be in that situation and have a chance to grow."

Although, I would love to see Noc and Pau talking trash about an Arenas or Billups (in spanish) on the court together.