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NBA free agency: 5 teams for Pau Gasol

By John Buhler

Jan 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) reacts against the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) reacts against the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls power forward Pau Gasol (16) shoots the ball against San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls power forward Pau Gasol (16) shoots the ball against San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

West. Southwest. San Antonio Spurs. 5. player. 29.

It’s been two years since they won the 2014 NBA Finals, but the San Antonio Spurs will once again be right in the thick of things as one of the premier teams in the Western Conference and the NBA in 2016-17.

San Antonio has two elite players in small forward Kawhi Leonard and power forward LaMarcus Aldridge. The Spurs also have three future Hall of Famers in the twilight of the careers as well in Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. Let’s not forget that head coach Gregg Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford are arguably the best at what they do in the NBA today.

Even Gasol’s kid brother Marc has pushed for Pau to sign with his Southwest Division rival Spurs in 2016 NBA free agency. The Gasols would play at least four games a year against each other as division rivals.

Though the Spurs too have themselves a front court logjam, the idea would be that Gasol would come in an be a more productive player off the San Antonio bench than David West was last year. Duncan is pretty much playing on one leg at this stage of his career and may unceremoniously retire this offseason. Aldridge is also still reluctant to play center for any length of a game.

If Gasol wants to play in a limited role as a spot starter/first rotational big off the bench on a quest to win a third NBA Championship for less money than he would have made opting in with the Bulls, then perhaps San Antonio is a possible fit for Gasol in 2016 NBA free agency.

Next: 4. Memphis Grizzlies.

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