Gasol is slated to make $19 million next season and wasn’t a huge fan of head coach Mike D’Antoni’s system. While he battled injuries for most of the season, Gasol wasn’t able to get the ball in good positions and was seen around the three-point line for too long of stretches last season.
We asked Lakers Nation if they wanted Gasol back in the fold next season and here are the results:
In our poll, 82 percent of Laker fans want Gasol back next season as he’s done so much for the fans and city of Los Angeles. While he had a down year in terms of point and rebounds, Gasol was able to get healthy down the stretch and limp the Lakers into the playoffs.
If Dwight Howard is to re-sign and management holds onto Gasol, D’Antoni has to find a way for the “twin towers” to play together. This season, Howard, Gasol, Metta World Peace, Kobe and Steve Nash only played in 24 games together as the team was ravaged by injuries.
Gasol underwent knee surgery yesterday to alleviate pain in his knees as he hopes to put all his injury woes in the past. While it’s always difficult to be swept in a playoff series, the extended break should help Gasol recover and hopefully remain a Laker.