With the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, Marc Gasol is set to become an unrestricted free agent this upcoming summer. While Pau Gasol’s younger brother has been linked to the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks already, the Lakers are projected to have as much as $30 million in cap space to pursue him and other big name free agents.
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Before the game, Gasol talked with Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News about his upcoming free agency and if he would consider joining the Lakers:
Would you consider the Lakers as an option?
Gasol: “I haven’t even looked at it yet. Whenever the time comes, I’m not going to say no to anything or refuse anything. I’m not going to agree to anything. We’re much in no man’s land right now. I pretty much just have to wait until July.”
Gasol was also asked if his older brother has provided him with any perspective considering his time with the Lakers where he won two championships in three consecutive NBA Finals:
Has Pau provided you any perspective considering his time with the Lakers?
Gasol: That was Pau’s time. I won’t say no to anything right now. It’s not something I have in front of me right now. If it’s presented to me, I’ll think about it. If not, I won’t.
With the Grizzlies currently third in the competitive Western Conference, Gasol is having the best season of his career. Averaging 20.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, Gasol has emerged as perhaps the best center in the league and is on pace to starting his first All-Star game in February.
With Gasol keeping his options open during free agency, the Lakers will be one of numerous teams pursuing the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year.
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