Five potential destinations for Pau Gasol
When it comes to free agency, there is no one as suave and sophisticated at sit-downs like Pat Riley. Meeting with Riley during a free agency dinner is like meeting with the president. He commands the attention of the room and he usually has something big to offer.
Riley will most certainly be in on Kevin Durant and Al Horford, with the Heat only currently having a little under $50 million on the books next season. Now part of that will go to Dwyane Wade, who like many stars signed a short-term deal ahead of the salary cap spike.
When the Heat approach free agency, they will likely have the assumed deal with Wade in place, but wait to sign him after any free agents so that they can go over the salary cap if need be. If Riley can’t get Durant or Horford, then Gasol would be a very nice fallback option.
With Chris Bosh only getting older, Gasol could spell him off the bench, if he doesn’t mind not starting or he could very well slide in at center, depending upon what happens with the contract of Hassan Whiteside.
The Miami Heat can pay Pau Gasol if they don’t land the top name in free agency next season. With the way Gasol is playing, he could have the Miami Heat back as Eastern Conference contenders, if they’re not quite there yet.
Next: Atlanta Hawks