With Dwight Howard heading to the Houston Rockets, Pau Gasol will shift back to the center position heading into the 2013-14 NBA season. Gasol took a backseat to Dwight last year moving over to power forward position and never really getting back to form while feeling out of place as the third option in the offense.
Now that Gasol will be able to resume his role in the paint as the starting center, the two-time NBA champion will have an opportunity to bounce back with a vengeance next season and prove his worth to the team.
Gasol heads into the final year of his contract with the Lakers and will likely be involved in trade rumors once again if the team continues struggle with the NBA trade deadline looming. The Spaniard has been on the trading block for the past few years with a lot of uncertainty surrounding his future in Los Angeles.
Although the team is preparing for next summer’s talented-packed free agent class featuring Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James, Gasol may be able to secure another contract with the team with a bounce back season.
It’ll be interesting to see whether or not Gasol flourishes without Dwight clogging the paint. Steve Nash staying healthy and creating some chemistry with Gasol early in the season will be crucial to the Spaniard’s attempt to bounce back and secure a future with the team. Kobe Bryant potentially not returning until late November or early December may benefit Gasol with the veteran forward becoming the focal point of the offense.
Lakers Nation News
Lakers News: Steve Nash Believes Lakers Are “Number One” Destination
Lakers Nation Look Back: Top 5 Magic Johnson Moments
Magic Johnson Wants to See How Lakers Respond as Underdogs
Lakers Nation Instagram Picture of the Week: Kobe Dunking on LeBron
Lakers Look Back: Kobe Bryant Dunks on Dwight Howard
Lakers News: Pau Gasol Looks to Redeem Himself After Rough Season
Lakers Nation Giveaway: Enter to Win New Era Lakers Beanie
Lakers News: D’Antoni Says That Dwight Leaving was in his DNA
In Phil Jackson’s Shadow, D’Antoni Hires Kurt Rambis to Move Forward
Lakers News: Mike D’Antoni Expects 11 Lakers to Play Big Minutes
Lakers News: Mike D’Antoni Discusses Importance of Training Camp
Mike D’Antoni Expects Pau Gasol to Have ‘Best Year He’s Ever Had’
Lakers News: Kurt Rambis Talks Jim and Jeanie Buss Dynamic
Mike D’Antoni was the Driving Force Behind Kurt Rambis Hiring
Lakers News
Lakers News: Steve Nash Says He’s ‘Close’ to 100 Percent [Examiner]
Lakers News: Lakers Agree to Terms with Undrafted Rookie Elias Harris [Examiner]
Lakers News: Lamar Odom Reportedly Considering Signing with the Lakers [Examiner]
Lakers News: Carmelo Anthony Doubts He’ll End Up with Los Angeles Lakers [Examiner]
Charles Barkley Says ‘Lakers Stink’ and Defends Dwight Howard for Decision [Examiner]
Mitch Kupchak Says Lakers Won’t Throw in the Towel Next Season [LA Times]
Lakers, Miami Heat Likely to Play on Christmas [LA Times]
Mike D’Antoni Says Lakers ‘Can Be Better Than Most People Think’ [LA Times]
Pau Gasol Looking Forward to a Bigger Role in the Lakers’ Offense [LA Times]
Kurt Rambis Tweets He’s Back as Lakers Assistant Coach [LA Times]
Report: Pau Gasol Ready to Assume Leadership Role [OC Register]
Kobe and Jeter: Mirror Images Their Entire Careers [Silver Screen & Roll]
Kupchak Discusses Lakers Summer and Future [Silver Screen & Roll]
Not Tanking the Path to a Better Future? The Lakers Seem to Think so [Forum Blue & Gold]
Magic Johnson Breaks the Big O’s Record (VIDEO) [Forum Blue & Gold]
NBA News
NBA News: LeBron Passes Kobe as NBA’s Most Popular Player [Sports City]
Heat Begin Season Against Bulls; Christmas Day at Lakers [Sports City]
Team USA: LeBron James Likely Done with Olympic Play [Sports City]
USA Basketball to Consider Derrick Rose for Upcoming Summer Olympics [Sports City]
John Wall Signs Max Contract with Wizards [SB Nation]
Pistons Improve at Expense of Fans’ Sanity [SB Nation]
Oden Not Worth the Risk Anymore [SB Nation]
Rockets’ Terrence Jones Arrested for Allegedly Kicking Homeless Man [Pro Basketball Talk]
Rumor: Chris Paul Threatened to Sign with Rockets if Clips Didn’t Hire Rivers [Pro Basketball Talk]
Luol Deng Talks About Life-Threatening Illness That Kept Him Out of Playoffs [Pro Basketball Talk]
Report: Knicks Trying Hard to Sign Beno Udrih [Pro Basketball Talk]
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Lakers Nation Interviews Kurt Rambis (PT.1): Shocked When D’Antoni Asked Him To Join Coaching Staff
Lakers Nation Interviews Kurt Rambis (Pt. 2): Buss Family, Kobe Bryant, Expectations
