Pau Gasol: Top 5 Free Agency Destinations

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Jan 20, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol (16) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Chicago Bulls

This is where things start to get interesting. Although Carmelo Anthony is the Bulls’ No. 1 offseason target, which was made perfectly clear by Derrick Rose hosting a private workout during Melo’s visit to Chicago, but if they are unable to woo the New York Knicks star, Gasol becomes their next best free agency option, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne.

Pau Gasol Addendum No. 1: Sources say Bulls' rising interest in Pau IS indeed reflection of concern they can't convince Melo to leave NYK
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 3, 2014

If Melo indeed can’t be swayed to leave the Knicks (or whatever other team he deems is more suitable in free agency), Gasol represents a significant drop off. The Bulls need a scorer like Melo to elevate them to contender status more than anything else, but Gasol would be a decent consolation prize as a guy who could work with another terrific interior passer in the paint in Joakim Noah.

Like the Warriors, the Bulls desperately need a stretch-4, a need that Gasol doesn’t quite fill. However, his passing and scoring ability in the paint, not to mention the fact that Noah and the Bulls’ defensive presence could make up for his flaws on that end, makes Gasol a solid target from a Chicago team that is only a few pieces away from really contending. If Derrick Rose comes back healthy and the Bulls were to add Gasol, all bets are off in an Eastern Conference where the two top teams could be going through major roster upheaval.

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