Pau Gasol is getting ready to enjoy all that free agency holds. The center is beginning to narrow down his preferred options and will take meetings with at least four teams. That list of teams includes remaining with the Los Angeles Lakers, but does not include the New York Knicks. Does Phil Jackson have the pull to bring back his former center or does the Kobe Bryant recruiting win over Gasol in the end?
In an interview with Marca.com, Gasol mentioned that he was considering the Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs for free agency landing spots. That does not include the Knicks which raises a few eyebrows. The New York Daily News reported that Jackson was preparing to clean house with the roster and could trade Tyson Chandler in favor of signing Gasol, a player he is very familiar with. However, it appears the recruiting of Kobe Bryant and Gasol's brother Marc is working more than Jackson being in charge in New York.
"I'm not ruling anything out, of course, I hope the Lakers will make an offer, one that is good enough for me to consider, but I'm open to any offers that I would consider interesting and motivating for my present and my future. The city of Memphis attracts me because it's a city I know, there's an opportunity of playing with my brother and they have a solid team," Gasol said, via Marca.com.
Gasol has already said he intends on signing with a team suited to win. Again, that knocks out the Knicks for at least this season considering the team is cash strapped and without draft picks. The Bulls would be an option if they used the amnesty clause on Carlos Boozer, but the team also has the option to bring in Nikola Mirotic which means there would not be room on the court for Gasol.
Bryant does not want Gasol leaving Los Angeles. The veteran is returning for another two years and would prefer his longtime teammate be by his side. According NBA Insider Chris Broussard, Bryant has been in contact with Gasol since the offseason started. Bryant intends to be healthy at the start of 2014 and views Gasol as the right building piece for the Lakers.
The Lakers will have to determine if they can even afford Gasol. The center will not be looking to take a steep pay cut and the current extension signed to Bryant could hurt the effort.
