After the Los Angeles Lakers finished the 2013-14 NBA season with a franchise-worst 27 wins, the writing seemed to be on the wall in terms of Pau Gasol’s future. Many anticipated Gasol flirting with the idea of returning to Los Angeles, but the consensus seemed to be that he’d leave in free agency with his sights set on chasing a third title elsewhere.
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Ultimately, Gasol signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Bulls to play alongside Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose. The move was considered a potential game-changer for Chicago and unfortunate for Los Angeles.
Apparently, the Lakers offered the most lucrative contract of any of the teams interested, including the Bulls. Along with reportedly offering $20 million over two years, the Lakers were willing to throw in a no-trade clause, according to Beto Duran of ESPN:
Pau said Lakers offered him a no trade clause during negotiations.
— Beto Duran (@DuranSports) November 17, 2014
Over the past few years, Gasol was constantly mentioned in trade rumors involving him being dealt elsewhere. Although Gasol was the consummate professional during this time, the rumors took their toll on the future Hall of Famer while he was in Los Angeles.
Gasol talked about the need to move on, via Duran:
Pau on why chose to leave “needed to move on. Needed something different. Needed to be in a different position”
— Beto Duran (@DuranSports) November 17, 2014
Obviously, the trade talk bothered Gasol enough to force the Lakers to include it in their contract offer to the veteran forward. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to bring him back with the appeal of playing for a potential title contender in Chicago was too much to pass up on.
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