Marc Gasol is one of the most intriguing free agents available on the market this year. A few weeks back, it seemed like a virtual certainty that he would spurn the NBA for EuroLeague ball. However, once those rumors really began to pick up steam, the 35-year-old old came out and outright dismissed them.
During a recent interview with Spanish TV channel Esport3, Gasol opened up about what lays ahead for his career and what sort of NBA team he absolutely does not want to play for.
“I know there’s interest from several NBA teams to get in touch after Friday,” he said.
“I want to help my future team to win on a consistent basis and contend for the championship. I don’t see myself playing for a rebuilding team.”
Dustin Johnson can’t keep his hands off Paulina. https://t.co/ZKIZyk3sd2
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Based on that criteria, a team that would make a lot of sense for Gasol would be the Golden State Warriors. Interestingly enough, team legend Chris Mullin as recently as last week suggested that the Spanish big man would be an ideal fit for the franchise at this juncture.
“I think ideally, you’d like a seasoned veteran,” Mullin told Ali Thanawalla of NBC Sports.
“Even if he played limited minutes during the regular season and you got him ready towards the last 30 games or so, I don’t know, Marc Gasol or someone like that, that you really could depend on in the playoffs.”
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During the regular season this past year Gasol averaged 7.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 42.7 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 73.5 percent from the free-throw line in 44 outings for the Toronto Raptors.
In the playoffs, those numbers became 6.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists over the course of 11 outings.
Gasol actually considered skipping the NBA Bubble altogether over concern for his elderly parents, who still live in Spain, which at one juncture was one of the worst hot spots for COVID-19.
“It was tough for him,” Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said at the time.
Dwight Howard kept it very real. https://t.co/aE7f0VaDIA
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“He operates a lot better with the ease of his family being around, and the knowledge they are doing fine. He didn’t have that comfort, and they were a long way away.”
Throughout his NBA career Gasol averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists between his stints with the Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies.
Over the next few weeks, Gasol’s next NBA destination should come into greater clarity.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
