Spurs, Raptors reportedly front-runners for Pau Gasol; Blazers still in mix
Who will the Spanish big man play for next?
By
Zach Harper
•
1 min read
From what I understand, it's Thunder versus Warriors for Durant.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) July 4, 2016
While the world waits for Kevin Durant to tell us where he's going to play basketball, several teams are waiting to find out where Pau Gasol wants to be next. The Spanish forward is the next big name left on the market after Durant, assuming LeBron James doesn't count because he'll re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a mere formality. While Gasol is already 35 years old, he still has plenty of game left in the tank and can provide an expensive but fantastic role in the short-term.
The San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers are all looking for Gasol's decision to be in their favor. The Minnesota Timberwolves have also pursued Gasol, but they don't seem to be a finalist for his services. Chris Broussard of ESPN is reporting the Spurs and Raptors are the front-runners for Gasol but the Blazers are still very much in this thing, as well.
San Antonio, Toronto, Portland all battling for Pau Gasol. SA & Toronto currently the frontrunners, source says. Blazers not out of it tho
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 4, 2016
It's been assumed for quite a while that Gasol would end up with the Spurs, but the Raptors have made a real push in trying to convince him they're the team he should choose. The Blazers missed out on Dwight Howard and Chandler Parsons but would love to cap off this major free agency push in which they got Evan Turner by getting Gasol into their starting lineup.
Replacing David West in the Spurs' rotation is probably the most successful landing spot for Gasol, but he'd likely get more touches and shots with the Raptors or Blazers.
