It's been said that Pau Gasol may have just played his last game with the Los Angeles Lakers, as this latest vertigo injury could sideline him for the remainder of the 2013-14 NBA season. It's unlikely he will be retained by LA, but he will definitely have some suitors.
Gasol, who made $19 million this season, is more than likely to not be wearing a purple-and-gold jersey in the 2014-15 season. However, according to Sports Illustrated, teams like the Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies may be interested.
"A poll of NBA executives on Gasol’s future returned many of the same answers: Chicago. Cleveland. Charlotte, if the Bobcats believe a Gasol-Al Jefferson front line can stop anybody. Memphis, if Zach Randolph opts out. Even after a disappointing season — and with the understanding that Gasol has never been a strap-a-team-on-his-back kind of player — Gasol will be among the most sought after free agents on the market," SI.com writes.
It's been said that Gasol's downgrade in his performance may just be due to the environment he's played in recently on the Lakers, thanks to Dwight Howard drama last year and the Kobe Bryant injury saga this year.
“There are a couple thoughts out there on Pau,” says an Eastern Conference executive. “Some people say he is worn out, that he is too far past his prime to really help a contender. There are others that think that LA, that environment the past two season, that style of play has destroyed him and if he goes somewhere else, plays with a different coach, he might be rejuvenated. I could see someone who thinks the latter paying him $10 million a year.”
A move to a new franchise would be greatly beneficial to Gasol, who's likely heading into the final chapter of his storied NBA career.
