Pau Gasol has had a few rough seasons in Los Angeles, with the current one being by far the toughest of all.
Not only has Gasol endured being a part of one of the worst Lakers teams in the history of the storied franchise, but injuries and clashes with his head coach have limited his productivity for a second straight season.
Gasol will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and while his bond with Kobe Bryant is strong, the way he’s been treated by the franchise would lead you to believe that he’d happily seek a higher-dollar deal elsewhere as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
Despite the drop-off in production recently, Gasol will have suitors -- many of them, if the latest report is to be believed.
From Chris Mannix of SI.com:Gasol, though, will have options. A poll of NBA executives on Gasol’s future returned many of the same answers: Chicago. Cleveland. Charlotte, if the Bobcats believe a Gasol-Al Jefferson front line can stop anybody. Memphis, if Zach Randolph opts out. Even after a disappointing season -- and with the understanding that Gasol has never been a strap-a-team-on-his-back kind of player -- Gasol will be among the most sought after free agents on the market.
“There are a couple thoughts out there on Pau,” says an Eastern Conference executive. “Some people say he is worn out, that he is too far past his prime to really help a contender. There are others that think that LA, that environment the past two season, that style of play has destroyed him and if he goes somewhere else, plays with a different coach, he might be rejuvenated. I could see someone who thinks the latter paying him $10 million a year.” ...
“I want to be in a team that is going to be built to win a championship,” Gasol said. “That’s my top priority. Money won’t be the main priority. Length and money are factors, but we’ll see. Until I know all the options, I won’t be able to measure them. But we’re getting close to the end of my career. I want to be in a good situation. It’s an important decision to make.”
We’ll see what happens when the time comes for Gasol to make his decision. But if money really isn’t the priority, then that would seem to eliminate Cleveland, Charlotte and Memphis from the equation. Chicago is interesting, but they already have Carlos Boozer, which would seem to be an unnecessary duplication.
I’m of the belief that Gasol will revert to being a borderline All-Star the moment he leaves the Lakers and plays for a team that properly utilizes his skill set, but it’s unclear just where that will take place. The teams mentioned in this report are the obvious ones that would be looking to upgrade and would have the cap space to do so.
There will undoubtedly be many others, however, who will be in the mix for Gasol’s services.
