Fansided

Five potential destinations for Pau Gasol

By Charles Rahrig V

Oct 8, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) watches from the bench during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Coors Events Center. The Nuggets won 112-94. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) watches from the bench during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Coors Events Center. The Nuggets won 112-94. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
Nov 16, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (left) works against Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (right) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (left) works against Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (right) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

With Pau Gasol reportedly likely to opt out at the end of the season, where could the big man end up?

When news broke from CSNChicago, that Pau Gasol would be likely opting out of his contract with the Chicago Bulls at the end of the season, it created quite the stir. Gasol is in the midst of a very productive season for the Bulls and has been a huge factor for them up front.

After a big performance again on Wednesday, Gasol talked about how he would have his options in the off-season.

"Gasol told CSNChicago.com Wednesday night after his 26-point, 19-rebound, four-block and three-assist performance against the Denver Nuggets that it’s “very likely” he’ll opt-out of his contract this summer and test the market. “As long as I keep playing like this,” Gasol said. “I know I’ll have some options.”"

There’s no denying that Gasol has found himself again with the Bulls, after many thought that his days of good basketball were done for in his final years with the Los Angeles Lakers. Having rebuilt his stock, Gasol will be a hot commodity for several contending teams in the off-season.

If he’s going to be opting out of his contract with the Chicago Bulls, then that means Gasol feels that he can earn himself a nice hefty contract from somewhere else, or perhaps even a raise and a new deal from the Chicago Bulls, who will be perennial contenders in the Eastern Conference, as long as Jimmy Butler is a round.

He already took some form of a discount to sign with the Bulls in the first place, so if he’s opting out, it doesn’t seem likely that he would be taking any special deals to go anywhere else. He’s already done that.

Everyone knows who the big fish are in the free agency market in 2016, when the likes of Kevin Durant and Al Horford will be available. Gasol would be a great option for teams that maybe don’t see themselves in the Durant or Horford chase.

Gasol certainly won’t come cheap to whoever is able to land the big man that is about to be 36 years old next season. However with Gasol’s style of play, age certainly shouldn’t be that big of a factor. His beautiful finesse game has him suited for the style of play that has taken over the league.

He might just be that last piece that a team contending needs to win a championship. With the projected salary cap spike for 2016-2017 expected to jump to $89 million, plenty of teams will be there to offer up their services to Gasol. So where does he go?

Next: Houston Rockets

Home/NBA