Report: Knicks to make 'determined attempt' to acquire Lakers' Pau Gasol

The Knicks are reportedly in the hunt for Lakers center Pau Gasol as the replacement for the recently departed Tyson Chandler, Marc Stein of ESPN reported

The Knicks are reportedly in the hunt for Lakers center Pau Gasol as the replacement for the recently departed Tyson Chandler, Marc Stein of ESPN reported Saturday.

The only problem is that New York is not well positioned to offer Gasol more than $4 million next season. Last season, in the final year of his contract with the Lakers, the 33-year-old two-time NBA champion made $19 million and averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.5 blocks in 60 games. 

Earlier this week -- just before the NBA Draft -- the Knicks dealt Chandler and guard Raymond Felton to the Mavericks for guards Jose Calderon, Wayne Ellington, Shane Larkin, center Samuel Dalembert and two picks in this year's draft. 

The Knicks hope to retain franchise forward Carmelo Anthony, who announced in June he is opting out of the final year of his contract to test free agency this summer. He will meet with the Rockets, Mavericks and Bulls, and the Heat are reported to also be in pursuit of the former scoring champion. 

--Marc Weinreich