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NBA Rumors: Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers to chase Lakers’ Pau Gasol

By Andrew Melnick

Mar 13, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol (16) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol (16) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 13, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol (16) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol (16) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The future of Los Angeles Lakers’ power forward Pau Gasol has been in question for some time.

It looked like he could be traded prior to this season’s trade deadline with several teams, including the Charlotte Bobcats and Phoenix Suns, showing a lot of interest in the talented big man.

However, with teams valuing draft picks so highly in the new CBA, no trade was made.

After the season ends and the Bobcats, among several others teams, are expected to show great interest in Gasol, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.

"Gasol, though, will have options. 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."

Gasol, who is averaging 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.5 blocks per game, should have plenty of options.

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