体坛英语新闻：NBA star forward Gasol vows to stay with Lakers

MADRID, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Spanish forward Pau Gasol, who has been linked to a move to the Minnesota Timberwolves, said Monday he wants to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers for "as many years as I can".

The Timberwolves have reportedly been pursuing Gasol to pair with Barcelona guard Ricky Rubio, who will play for the NBA side next season.

"My desire is to stay with the Lakers. I don't have control over it but I want to stay with the Lakers for as many years as I can to be able to remain eligible for the maximum possible championships," Gasol told Spain's local reporters.

The reports linking Gasol to a move to the Tiberwolves came after the Dallas Mavericks swept the Lakers 4-0 in the conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs.

The Lakers signed Gasol, 30, in February 2008 from the Memphis Grizzlies. The following year they extended his contract through the 2013-14 season.