Pau Gasol rumors: No meeting with New York Knicks scheduled
Pau Gasol won’t visit the Knicks — at least not yet. Gasol’s short list includes the Thunder, Warriors and Bulls. If the Knicks want the towering Spanish forward, they will have to wait in line. With those teams likely able to make Gasol a substantial financial offer — not to mention surround him with better talent — he may never get to a point where the Knicks enter the discussion.
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But there’s always a chance. Keith Schlosser from SNY.tv opines that perhaps Phil Jackson could liaise the discussion and lure Gasol. The Knicks, after all, were expected to make a run at him. Unfortunately for Gasol and the Knicks, the team would only be able to offer a discounted rate. They are caught up in the Carmelo Anthony auction and are therefore somewhat distracted financially. Not to mention the massive option that Amar’e Stoudemire opted into.
All this put together, Pau is not going to land in to New York; and frankly, both parties are best served without him.
Pau Gasol, who is oft-maligned for poor defense, could add to the scoring power of the Knicks. The Knicks, however, do not need another scorer.
Carmelo’s points per game will be missed, if he leaves, but the Knicks have been too soft on defense. Gasol at a discounted price would be amazing — but it’s also be a pipe dream. So they would have to break the bank for him and that’s just not worth it for a 33-year-old seven footer that would split time in a rotation with both Tyson Chandler and Amar’e Stoudemire. The Knicks need a back bone. Gasol isn’t known for that.