(SB Nation Houston, Ryan Van Bibber) The Houston Rockets are talking to the Los Angeles Lakers about the possibility of acquiring forward Pau Gasol, according to Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo! Sports. Despite the ongoing dialog between the two teams, no deal is close with the NBA trade deadline less than a week away on March 15.

Gasol's name has been a constant presence in trade rumors all season. Another report on Friday, this out of LA, says that a Gasol trade is imminent, but it is only a rumor.

Landing the 31-year old Gasol likely means a team is serious about making an immediate impact. The Rockets are currently looking up at Minnesota for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. At 21-19, Houston is not too far out of striking distance for a climb up the standings. San Antonio has the second spot in the Western Conference with a 26-12 record.