Despite admitting dissatisfaction over his new bench role, forward Pau Gasol maintained he wants to stay with the Lakers.

“I feel like I’m a part of this team and part of this franchise. I love to play here for as many years as possible because I identify myself with the team. I want it to work.”

Gasol has two years left on his contract, worth $38.3 million. Though he became the subject of many trade rumors last year following the nixed Chris Paul deal, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said last week not to expect the front office to become “active” leading up to the Feb.21 trade deadline.

“Trades are part of this business,” Gasol said, “and always a possibility for any player except the ones that have clauses that say they have to agree with the trade.”

via Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News