Pau Gasol rumors: Chicago Bulls think they can land Gasol if they miss on Carmelo Anthony
Much like they were in 2010, the Chicago Bulls have been one of the teams to watch in free agency in 2014.
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The Bulls pursued the likes of forward LeBron James, guard Dwyane Wade and big man Chris Bosh, but they, of course, all chose the Miami Heat and the Bulls wound up “settling” for the top player left on the market, Carlos Boozer. Now, the Bulls are ready to dump Boozer, likely waiving him via the amnesty clause and chase top free agents again. Although James, Wade and Bosh are once again free agents, their top target is New York Knicks’ free agent forward Carmelo Anthony. The Bulls were once looked at as the favorite but that appears to longer be the case, meaning they will likely turn their attention elsewhere, namely to Los Angeles Lakers’ free agent big man Pau Gasol.
Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun Times, citing a source, reports the Bulls believe they are a “leading candidate” to land Gasol if they don’t land Anthony.
"According to a source, the Bulls feel that if Anthony goes elsewhere, they are one of the leading candidates to land free-agent big man Pau Gasol — unless Anthony happens to choose the Los Angeles Lakers, which could start the dominos falling and convince Gasol to re-sign with the Lakers."
Gasol averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds 3.4 assists and 1.5 blocks per game last season. He shot 48.0% from the field, 28.6% from beyond the arc and 73.6% from the free throw line last season. Anthony put up 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game and shot 45.2% from the field, 40.2% from beyond the arc and 84.8% from the free throw line last season.