While the Lakers are hoping to poach coveted free agent Carmelo Anthony from the Knicks, New York may just swoop in and take a prized possession out from under Los Angeles -- center Pau Gasol.
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Knicks president Phil Jackson's main focus is on trying to sway Anthony to take his max money five-year $129 million offer rather than losing him to the Lakers, who have offered four-years, $96 million -- the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement -- but he's also looking at possibly signing Gasol.
Gasol thrived under Jackson for four years in L.A. and there could very well be a reunion in the works if Jackson has his way.
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"He had a birthday," Jackson said of Gasol, who turned 34 years old on July 6, according to ESPN. "I stayed away from communicating with him until it was an opportunity to talk. We talked a couple times."
One hiccup that could halt Jackson's pursuit of four-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion could be the money.
"We'd like to be in the ballpark of where he's getting contracts offered," Jackson said of his approach to land Gasol. "I anticipate it's going to be somewhere, you know, $10 million [per year] and above."
The Knicks are just under the cap and signing Anthony would necessitate moves being made to shed salary and could hamper the team acquiring any other free agents, including Gasol, so the 11-time NBA champion will have to be careful with what moves he makes after taking over as Knicks president in March.
Gasol averaged 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds last season for the Lakers as the team finished a franchise-worst 27-55 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005. While the Knicks' 37-45 mark wasn't much better, Gasol could very well switch coasts and Jackson believes Gasol and Anthony would make a great combination if New York has its way in free agency.
"He knows what he has here and what is possible," Jackson said. "I think he'd like to play with Carmelo, and I think he'd like to play for a winner, and we can't guarantee that. But with him, we'd guarantee a much better chance."
The Lakers have plenty of cap space if they want to re-sign Gasol, but it is possible that one of their bright spots in a grim 2013-14 campaign could be headed to New York.
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