After signing a three-year, $64.7 million extension in 2009, Pau Gasol will be the second biggest free agent for the Lakers after this season. While the Lakers will have ample cap room next off-season and all the discussion is centered around Kobe Bryant, the organization would like to re-sign Gasol.
After practice on Sunday, Gasol discussed his impending free agency and the possibility of a contract extension via Lakers Nation’s Serena Winters:
“If the team is interested, they will approach me. At some point, I’m sure there will be some kind of meeting, but I’m not sure when or how. I think it’s going to depend on how I perform during the season. The better I perform, I’m sure the more interest they’ll be to sign me, I guess.”
While Gasol will be 34-years-old by the beginning of next off-season, he is one of the best skilled big men in the league and head coach Mike D’Antoni considers him the best center in the NBA. If Gasol wants to remain with the Lakers for the remainder of his career, he will likely have to agree to a contract that is similar to Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. Both players sacrificed significant amount of money to re-sign with their respective teams for three years in the $30 million range.
Since being traded to Los Angeles in 2008, Gasol has been a true Laker through the two championships and all the trade rumors. While he has struggled the past couple of seasons, Gasol looks to redeem himself this season and show everyone why he is a four-time All-Star. He has continually voiced his desire to remain with the Lakers and after all that went on this off-season, the fan base wants to see Gasol retire with the team.
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