Pau Gasol is not certain he will be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers next season. There have been rumors and discussions of trading or releasing the big man in need of younger and healthier players. While he may have no idea when his future holds in Hollywood, he is hoping to return home someday to play where his career first began.
Gasol first made a name for himself in basketball while playing FIBA Basketball for FC Barcelona in Spain. He helped the team with the Spanish King's Cup and also took home the Finals MVP award. He played internationally from 1998 to 2001 before being drafted by the NBA. A return back to Barcelona would see his career come full circle.
"I don't know when, but if one day I could return to FIBA basketball, I'd like to do it with Barcelona as long as I can play at a high level and being central to the team," Gasol said.
The question of being able to play at a high level is the biggest thing surrounding Gasol. The center battled tendinosis in both knees throughout most of the 2012-13 season. He also missed time for a torn plantar fascia. He only played in 49 games, delivering the worst scoring stats of his career. Last season, Gasol only averaged 13.7 points per game, along with 8.6 rebounds.
The Lakers are preparing for an offseason that could see many of its biggest stars leaving the team. Los Angeles has an amnesty clause that they are very aware of and are highly considering using. Gasol is entering into the final year of his contract with the Lakers and will be owed over $19 million. As one of the biggest contracts on the team, Gasol is not safe to return.
Mitch Kupchak has been vocal about his intentions of using the amnesty clause. It is likely that one of the Lakers' big players will be ousted with it. The team has a nine-figure luxury tax issue they must figure out how to deal with sooner rather than later. The team can use the amnesty clause for any player signed prior to 2011, leaving four players available for the Lakers. The clause would wipe Gasol's contract off the books completely, freeing up a lot of tax space for the team.