Report: Pau Gasol expected to have several marquee suitors in free agency
Breaking news alert: A 33-year-old four-time All-Star with two NBA championship rings is set to become a free agent this summer, and several marquee teams are expected to pursue his services.
This isn't exactly a confusion-inducing revelation, but a recent report from Sports Illustrated sheds light on some of the specific teams that could try to woo Pau Gasol away from Los Angeles this summer.
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.
While some may look at Gasol's numbers and numerous injuries this season and suggest he's on the decline, others still may look past this season given the circumstances surrounding the Lakers. And the Spaniard still averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.5 blocks with a well-above-average 19.4 player efficiency rating, so it's not as if he's looked washed up when he's played.
Where Gasol ultimately lands depends on a number of things. Kobe Bryant wants him to stay in L.A. but Gasol reportedly doesn't enjoy playing under coach Mike D'Antoni, and any sizable extension would eat into the Lakers' precious cap room.
Meanwhile, other suitors will likely have to offer championship contention, or at least a competitive environment. How much cap space they'll need is somewhat less obvious; while Gasol earns $19.3 million this year, he has career earnings of over $156 million and may be willing to take an appreciable pay cut to land in a good situation.
Wherever he lands, Gasol is sure to be one of the hottest names when free agency opens in July.
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