Pau Gasol trade rumor: Raptors wants the Lakers' big, but LA's interest in Andrea Bargnani debatable

The Toronto Raptors have already made a splash before the February 21 trade deadline, acquiring Rudy Gay and moving Jose Calderon. The Raptors could be poised for another move, making a play for Los Angeles Lakers big man Pau Gasol.

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, Gasol is a player that the Raptors would plunge into "luxury-tax territory" to get:

"The Lakers' interest in [Andrea] Bargnani remains a matter of debate in the midst of the Italian's worst-ever season by far, but the not-for-public-consumption message that continues to emanate from Canada is that Toronto remains intent on pursuing Gasol even after trading for Gay."

Not sure how much sense dealing Gasol makes for the Lakers this season with Dwight Howard injury prone and an impending free agent with no assurances that he'll re-up in LA. Plus, why trade for the oft-injured Bargnani?

Raptors president Bryan Colangelo announced earlier this week that Andrea Bargnani is on the trading block. But again, this is a guy having a terrible season and an injury-plagued career.