Even though Pau Gasol is slated to test free agency and could end up elsewhere if he finds the right fit, it doesn't mean that he is pining to get out of Los Angeles and he may remain a Laker when the 2014-15 season tips off.
Kupchak: Lakers To 'Go All Out' For LeBron James And Carmelo Anthony
ESPN reports that despite the fact that Gasol has been a part of trade rumors for the last three seasons, the two-time NBA champion and four-time All-Star's close ties to team leader Kobe Bryant could very well lead to him staying in the City of Angels this summer.
With Los Angeles looking for a new coach, Gasol realizes there is potential for him to fit in better under a new regime than he did when Mike D'Antoni ran the team. D'Antoni resigned and took a $2 million buyout after Los Angeles was leaning toward bringing him back but didn't want to exercise his option for 2015-16.
Phil Jackson Unsure If Carmelo Anthony Will Stay With Knicks
Gasol could play a more vital role under a new head coach and Bryant has advocated for him to stay as Bryant wants to win a sixth NBA championship after signing a two-year extension with Los Angeles.
If the Lakers are to keep Gasol, they'll have plenty of competition as several teams are reportedly interested in him, including the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. The New York Knicks are also interested in him, in a scenario that could reunite him with Knicks president Phil Jackson, who he thrived under in L.A.
The 7-foot Gasol could be on the market for a while as many of the teams that are interested in him are also interested in Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James, so Gasol may have to wait to see where they land before he signs anywhere.
Gasol, 32, can make the most money by remaining in Los Angeles but it doesn't necessarily mean that he will decide to stay put.
Gasol has been hampered by knee and foot issues the last few seasons, which could make many teams skeptical of offering him a big deal. The Lakers are among the teams interested in Anthony and James, and the team may not make a move to re-sign Gasol until after trying to land Anthony and James so that they don't compromise any cap room they'd need to land the two NBA stars.
Los Angeles is slated to have a very busy offseason and there are a list of candidates the franchise is looking to sign if James and Anthony get away while their coaching search is slated to spill into July and general manager Mitch Kupchak even said the process could take several more weeks.
The Lakers are looking to bounce back from a franchise-worst 27-55 record last season, where L.A. missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005.
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