NBA Free Agency: 10 players most likely to move this summer

By Tom West | May 25, 2016

May 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) drives to the basket around Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) during the first half in game three of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 21, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) reacts after scoring against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at United Center. Bulls won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Pau Gasol

We’ll begin with an All-Star that, for quite some time now, should have been on the minds of many when thinking about players who are likely heading for a new team in free agency. Pau Gasol, after freely admitting that he’ll probably turn down his player option for 2016-17 and only having one more chance to pick up a sizable contract, is a reasonably safe bet to leave the Chicago Bulls.

Even at almost 36, Gasol still has a lot to offer. He can provide a couple of blocks a game despite being a generally slow and non-elite defender (primarily away from the basket) and averaged 16.5 points, 11 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game this season. For someone in their mid thirties, only hauling in 11+ rebounds for the third time in their career, such production and passing at this stage is particularly impressive. And with another All-Star appearance in 2016, Gasol is keeping his value fairly high in the exploding market.

While he did admit that he can return to Chicago and he likes the organization, his comments to Marca on May 19 clearly hinted at his excitement to test the market in free agency:

"I have to wait for offers. I try to keep an open mind about this. The good thing is this summer the offers can be very attractive and there’s going to be a lot of teams that can pitch interesting proposals."

Also, dating back as far as December 2015, when rumblings started to emerge that Gasol didn’t see his future with the Bulls’ under Fred Hoiberg, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported that “whispers” of an exit were increasing.

It’s understandable from Gasol’s perspective. The Bulls didn’t come close to competing in the Eastern Conference. Experimental issues with a new, more uptempo offense and plenty of injuries to key players sent them to 9th place at 42-40. That disappointment, and questions about the likes of Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose (despite the latter’s improved health), have caused some to go as far as to say trading Jimmy Butler may be an option.

Now entering the final years of his NBA career, it makes sense for Gasol to search for new money and a winning situation elsewhere.

Next: 9. Ryan Anderson

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