The drama surrounding Los Angeles Lakers and power forward Pau Gasol has been well-documented.
Sometimes it looks like the Lakers could make Gasol a very formidable offer while other times it appears as though their split this offseason is inevitable.
No matter what the Lakers decide to do, it is clear it won’t stop general manager Mitch Kupchak from heaping praise on Gasol.
Kupchak: "When you look at the free agents on the board, there's probably not a player better than Pau Gasol."
— Mark Willard (@Mark_T_Willard) April 18, 2014
Kupchak does know that LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and Carmelo Anthony can become free agents, right? Or that Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks can too? Plus, there are the restricted free agents like Phoenix Suns’ guard Eric Bledsoe and Detroit Pistons’ power forward Greg Monroe.
In reality, it’s just Kupchak sticking by his guy because the Lakers could still opt to keep Gasol.
This season, Gasol averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.5 blocks per game.