UPDATE (10:12 PM PST): According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers have reached out to Pau Gasol one hour into free agency:
Oh, and Lakers of course reached out to Pau tonight
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2014
UPDATE (7:02 PM PST): According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks are also expected to pursue Pau Gasol in free agency:
Add two teams to the expected Pau Gasol market: Phoenix and Atlanta. Lakers, Knicks, Bulls, Mavs, Rockets all expected to pursue.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2014
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After constant trade rumors for the past couple of seasons, Pau Gasol will become an unrestricted free agent tonight. While there is mutual interest in re-signing Gasol, the two-time champion will meet with numerous teams according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times:
“Gasol has said numerous times that his main priority is playing for a title-contending team. He will meet with Oklahoma City, Chicago and Golden State and might also sit down with the Lakers, the team that has employed him since acquiring him from Memphis in February 2008.”
Along with Chris Bosh and Greg Monroe, Gasol is one of the best big men available in this year’s free agent market. While he will receive numerous offers, Gasol’s main priority is winning more championships in the final stages of his future Hall of Fame career.
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Although the Lakers will pursue LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, there is “strong interest” to retain Gasol moving forward. It has also been reported that bringing back Gasol could lure Anthony to Los Angeles as they could potentially form a “Big Three” of their own with Kobe Bryant.
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