The Los Angeles Lakers made the first steps towards improvement for the 2014 season by firing head coach Mike D'Antoni. After a disappointing end to the year, the Lakers had seen enough from D'Antoni and despite still having one more year on his current contract, they just cut in him. The move could help sign and retain certain players and it starts with Pau Gasol.
The center is approaching free agency and will be one of the more sought after players on the market. However, the firing of D'Antoni changes things for Gasol. The two did not get along all of last season. Gasol questioned the head coach's game plan numerous times as the losses piled up and even though he put together one of his better statistical seasons because of it, the center had no desire to remain with the Lakers if D'Antoni was still in charge. Now with D'Antoni fired and the coaching search including some of college basketball's top names, Gasol admits he is considering staying put.
"Mike leaving was not the be-all and end-all, but it is another factor. What is certain is that we are without a coach and I say 'we' because I'm still thinking of myself as a Lakers player," Gasol said, via Marca.com.
Gasol's free agency future begins on July 1 and he fully plans on taking advantage of it. Gasol notes that he has heard about several interested teams including the Memphis Grizzlies and the New York Knicks who have Phil Jackson. Gasol told media that he plans on weighing all of his options and making a decision based on what puts him in an opportunity to win. That can easily be translated as whichever team offers the biggest contract which could actually be the Lakers since their contract commitments drop in the offseason.
Gasol also noted that Kobe Bryant has been in contact with him and the two discussed free agency. Bryant had originally stated that he would not be active in recruiting players for the Lakers this offseason after the failed attempt with Dwight Howard, but he did hope that Gasol came back next season so the two could continue their longtime run as teammates. Gasol said that Bryant coming back weighed on his decision.
"I spoke with Kobe before the end of the season and he told me he wanted me to stay. We have a great mutual respect and a great friendship," Gasol said.
Mitch Kupchak wants Gasol to return as does Bryant. Unless another team sweeps the center off his feet with a contract offer, the Lakers might actually have the upperhand in this race.
