When Pau Gasol exercises his player option and explores free agency this summer, he will have an opportunity to ditch the Chicago Bulls in an effort to latch onto a championship contender.
That championship contender could be the San Antonio Spurs.
Or so says his brother, Marc Gasol.
From John Martin of 92.9 ESPN in Memphis:
Marc Gasol on Pau Gasol's future: "If I had to guess — not that I've talked to him about it — would be San Antonio."
— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) April 25, 2016
And so ends the dream of Pau signing with the Grizzlies to play alongside Marc.
The Spurs would clearly make sense for Gasol from a stylistic perspective. He was linked to them during his last free-agent foray. He plays in the post, can hit jumpers and is an above-average passer. He would thrive in that system–assuming San Antonio actually needed him.
LaMarcus Aldridge will definitely be back next season; he’s under contract. The rest of the frontcourt is a bit of a mystery. Tim Duncan could retire; Boban Marjanovic will be a restricted free agent; and David West has a player option worth a little more than $1.5 million. If Duncan or West leave, Gasol could become a necessary addition. Even then, the Spurs have Boris Diaw under contract (non-guaranteed) through 2017-18.
Unless Gasol, who is coming off his best season for someone his age, is prepared to see his minutes plummet for the sake of winning a title, it seems like there will be more attractive suitors for him in free agency.
Then again, West sacrificed money and playing time to join San Antonio’s. Who are we to say Pau won’t do the same?
