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NBA Rumors: Best Landing Spots for Pau Gasol

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 31, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to a recent report, the Chicago Bulls don’t intend to bring Pau Gasol back for the 2016-17 season. The question is, which team would be best for the two-time NBA champion to sign with?

Mar 31, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

When the Chicago Bulls signed Pau Gasol to a cost-friendly contract, not everyone knew how to react. Some felt that Gasol was too old to contribute, and others believed that he would be the difference-maker as Chicago pursued an elusive seventh championship.

After two years of tantalizing highs and polarizing lows, the Gasol-Chicago marriage appears to be heading towards of a swift divorce.

Gasol signed a three-year contract with the Bulls worth $22,346,280 in 2014. The 2016-17 season includes a player option, however, which means Gasol could conceivably opt-out and test the free agency waters as the salary cap rises to upwards of $90 million.

According to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune, Gasol will not be back with the Bulls in 2016-17.

If this truly is the end, it was a fun and productive two years.

Gasol made All-Star Game appearances in both 2015 and 2016 as one of the most consistently productive big men in the NBA. He became the oldest player in league history to lead the Association in double-doubles in 2014-15, and even set a career-high by scoring 46 points in a single game a season ago.

In 2015-16, Gasol has remained professional and productive despite Chicago’s trajectory to miss the playoffs.

Through 71 appearances, the 35-year-old is averaging 16.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.1 offensive boards, 4.1 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game. His efficiency has wavered at 46.9 percent shooting from the field, but he’s attempted more 3-point field goals than ever before in his 15-year career.

Chances are, Gasol will look to receive one more significant payday during the summer of 2016. The question, of course, is where will he go?

These teams are his best options.

Next: One Out, One In

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