Pau Gasol might be humoring the Los Angeles Lakers with a free agency visit, but all signs point to the center leaving the West Coast. The veteran is one of the more sought after free agents and has plenty of teams looking to sign him for a contract of his liking. While Los Angeles hopes his free agency tour ends with a round trip ticket back to the Lakers, a few teams are emerging as real contenders to sign him.
Gasol has numerous trips lined up with free agency now officially in full swing. According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Oklahoma City Thunder have peaked the interest of the center as they meet several of his needs. Oklahoma City is a well-established franchise that will once again return to being a contender next season with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. However, Stein reports that finances are an issue and the Thunder likely cannot afford Gasol. The center would have to take less money to sign with Oklahoma City, something he has yet to express interest in. As a veteran, Gasol will ultimately have to decide between money and championships.
The Chicago Bulls are also taking a look at Gasol, but that signing appears unlikely to happen as well. Chicago already has Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer. Gasol struggled in Los Angeles to remain effective alongside another big man like Dwight Howard. It seems unlikely he would be able to function with Noah either.
Another team that may or may not be an option for Gasol is the Miami Heat. According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, Gasol is an option for the Heat if Chris Bosh opts to not return. Right now with the Big Three off the books, the Heat have a ton of cap space to work with. They will make LeBron James a priority, but could look elsewhere to fill the remaining holes. They would have the money to sign Gasol to a deal he wants.
The Lakers are still an option. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Gasol has not closed the door on the Lakers and is still considering re-signing and joining Kobe Bryant for the final two years of his career. The center would likely have to take a pay cut yet again unless the team trades Steve Nash for space.
