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NBA Rumors: Blazers making large offer for Pau Gasol

By Tom West

Feb 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) attempts to get a rebound against Portland Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh (21) during the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) attempts to get a rebound against Portland Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh (21) during the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The madness is increasing in 2016 NBA free agency and the money is piling up. Now, the Portland Trail Blazers are looking for another big deal with a large offer for Pau Gasol.

The Portland Trail Blazers have already become one of the biggest spenders of NBA free agency so far with their startling four-year, $70 million deal for Evan Turner. He was a backup option and not one of their top targets, but they paid him a huge sum nonetheless and he’ll arrive to provide his driving ability and playmaking to help the duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

The Blazers want more, though. After missing out on a top center like Hassan Whiteside, they’re making a large offer for Pau Gasol, as Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders has reported.

It isn’t surprising after they missed Whiteside, who they desperately wanted. Bismack Biyombo just disappeared from the market after agreeing to a four-year, $72 million deal with the Orlando Magic as well, meaning the frontcourt upgrades are rapidly diminishing.

And despite an impressive rotation of Mason Plumlee, Ed Davis, Meyers Leonard and Noah Vonleh, the Blazers would like to add some more firepower to their young group of big men.

Near 36-year-old All-Star Pau Gasol fits that bill to some degree. He averaged 16.5 points, 11 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game last season, continuing his late career burst as a vital piece of the Bulls’ offense. His defense is slow and he’s abused away from the basket, and the other Blazers’ bigs will need to help him in that regard, but his mid-range game, passing, and post scoring will help add another dynamic to support the Lillard-McCollum duo.

Plus, after multiple reports over recent months that Gasol has been intending to leave Chicago, Portland’s exciting young team could be an intriguing destination for him after their surge to 5th in the Western Conference, especially if the money is high as reported. They have the cap space to make such an offer.

For more NBA free agency coverage, be sure to check out our NBA hub page.

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