Spurs contact Pau Gasol reportedly

[celldweller]

Pau isnt coming to SA

[HankChinaski]

So far its Lebron holding the NBA hostage. Agents and teams just waiting on him before they can make a push on anyone else.

It is a fun moment to the end of ever season after the draft. I enjoy watching how teams combat reloading or rebuilding.

Spurs rarely make the big waves within free agency but you can't complain about being part of fan base who's team is always in discussion for contention for a run at the NBA le.

I much rather have the heartbreak of almost making it over the reliability of fail every season of being a fanbase of teams like the Kings and Timberwolves. To be a bitter fan of that cack sandwich every year. You certainly have to be a madochist to be a fan of teams like that.

[Malik Hairston]

Gasol would be an idiot to not choose the Bulls, tbh..they desperately need offensive talent, he would be a focal point, and they have the pieces and system to mask his atrocious defrnse..

Of course it's also possible that he just cares about the money and will choose to stay on LA's sinking ship..

[DPG21920]

I mean, CHI seems to have promised Taj a starting spot next to Noah. Do the Bulls go back to Taj and tell him he won't start or do they make Pau a bench big and treat him like Boozer (less the starting spot)?

[ceperez]

When Pau was traded to the Lakers for next to nothing in 2007, the Spurs were robbed. The Spurs won the championship in the previous year and it took 7 years to get it back. The Spurs lost to the Lakers in the 2007-2008 WCF.

So if Pau signs with the Spurs for MLE, it's just payback for the injustice back in 2007.

[spurraider21]

I mean, CHI seems to have promised Taj a starting spot next to Noah. Do the Bulls go back to Taj and tell him he won't start or do they make Pau a bench big and treat him like Boozer (less the starting spot)?

if Pau is going to settle for a bench role on a contender, the Spurs are the easy choice. chicago can probably pay more, but how much are they going to pay a guy thats going to be their 3rd big anyway?

has Houston expressed any interest in Pau at all? thats another solid spot for him if he wants a big role on a contender

[ceperez]

Gasol would be an idiot to not choose the Bulls, tbh..they desperately need offensive talent, he would be a focal point, and they have the pieces and system to mask his atrocious defrnse..

Of course it's also possible that he just cares about the money and will choose to stay on LA's sinking ship..

Did the Spurs just show the NBA that you need to have several offensive threats to win the le. The Bulls have how many offensive threats in their current roster? If Pau joins the bulls, he'll be carry the entire offensive load, just like he did for the Lakers without Bryant.

[spurraider21]

Did the Spurs just show the NBA that you need to have several offensive threats to win the le. The Bulls have how many offensive threats in their current roster? If Pau joins the bulls, he'll be carry the entire offensive load, just like he did for the Lakers without Bryant.

one season's champions don't necessarily dictate the direction that the entire league chooses to go. its pretty unlikely that any team can build what the spurs have. although miami picking up mcbob in an effort to emulate what diaw gives us is sorta funny.

[ceperez]

if Pau is going to settle for a bench role on a contender, the Spurs are the easy choice. chicago can probably pay more, but how much are they going to pay a guy thats going to be their 3rd big anyway?

has Houston expressed any interest in Pau at all? thats another solid spot for him if he wants a big role on a contender

Houston lost to the Blazers. How in the world are they even close to contending with

(1) Howard not dominant at center
(2) Harden being a liability on defense.

[siraulo23]

"insert FA name" interested in signing with team, x, y, z and spurs

a few days later

"insert FA name" signs with team x

[ceperez]

one season's champions don't necessarily dictate the direction that the entire league chooses to go. its pretty unlikely that any team can build what the spurs have. although miami picking up mcbob in an effort to emulate what diaw gives us is sorta funny.

Only the Thunder has a team that is intact long enough to compete with the Spurs. Only problem with the Thunder is their lack of plays, however they do have a lot of talent and athleticism.

Next year, the Heat may be down to a big-two with Wade further declining in athleticism.

Meanwhile the Spurs have a ton of young players that are only going to get better over time. Let's see, you got:

Leonard, Green, Mills, Splitter all likely to improve their game.

Diaw and Parker are still at the peak of their game.

The Spurs are just going to get better next year.

[ceperez]

"insert FA name" interested in signing with team, x, y, z and spurs

a few days later

"insert FA name" signs with team x

Happened a lot in the recent past because a lot of folks thought the Spurs would be aging and be on the decline.

There was a time though that almost every veteran free agent wanted to sign with the Spurs.

[Seventyniner]

The only way the Spurs could have gotten cap room in excess of the MLE is if both Diaw and Mills left. Pau had to know that was unlikely, so his interest in the Spurs was always with the knowledge that the Spurs would only have the MLE to offer.

If the Spurs really do have interest (seems likely given the lolbroussard multiple sources), they must believe the team would be better with Pau than without.

[Bartleby]

Although I have a hard time seeing Pau leave millions on the table, the continuity, professionalism and culture of the Spurs have got to be really appealing to a veteran on the back end of his career, especially considering how much drama and turmoil there was in LA.

[Kindergarten Cop]

PTR's article on why the Spurs should NOT use the MLE this year:

http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/...evel-exception

[Obi Juan Kenobi]

PTR's article on why the Spurs should NOT use the MLE this year:

http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/...evel-exception

Very good read, the Spurs won't use the MLE just for the sake of using it...

[ceperez]

Very good read, the Spurs won't use the MLE just for the sake of using it...

I agree.... glad Spurs didn't sign McRoberts.

[Emperor]

I think using the MLE on Gasol would be beneficial especially for next summer assuming that Duncan/Manu retire, then we'd already have our starting 4 with Pau so we can use our cap space for Kawhi, Parker, Green, perhaps Marco and other spots we may fill instead of using a chunk of it trying to find a Duncan replacement.

[Kindergarten Cop]

Land from what I hears they don't get along to well. I think Gasol is looking for a bigger deal, but I think the Spurs is his 1st option if he is going to sign for the MLE.

You'd think they would have gotten Ibaka to help with the recruiting pitch with Westbrook and Durant. Maybe Pau and Ibaka don't get along much at all like you've said.

I know that Ibaka was very upset with how the Spanish team underutilized him in the 2012 Olympics (so much that he threatened not to return) - playing a reserve role behind the Gasol brothers. I haven't seen/heard anything else that suggests that the two do not like each other but I do find it odd that of all of the OKC "recruits" mentioned for Gasol, the most likely of players (Ibaka) has not been mentioned.

[spurraider21]

using the MLE on pau is a no brainer, but its unlikely he accepts it. even if it doesn't work out, he'd be really easy to move

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

I know that Ibaka was very upset with how the Spanish team underutilized him in the 2012 Olympics (so much that he threatened not to return) - playing a reserve role behind the Gasol brothers. I haven't seen/heard anything else that suggests that the two do not like each other but I do find it odd that of all of the OKC "recruits" mentioned for Gasol, the most likely of players (Ibaka) has not been mentioned.

I believe I heard that Gasol let the Spanish coach know that he didn't think Ibaka fit in the current system Spain utilized. And I heard that most players didn't accept him on the being the fact he isn't Spanish wasn't even born in Spain for that matter. Unlike France, Spain still has a lot of racially prejudicies. Gasol doesn't strike me as one of those, but you see others like llul, Navarro and such are.

[spursfan4ever]

Metholomia fans at their best..

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Although I have a hard time seeing Pau leave millions on the table, the continuity, professionalism and culture of the Spurs have got to be really appealing to a veteran on the back end of his career, especially considering how much drama and turmoil there was in LA.

That's pretty much it - if he wants the best shot at a ring he will come here, if he wants cash he will stay in LA or goes somewhere like Phoenix.

I hope he chooses the former, but given how these things usually work out (and the agent in his ear) he will likely take the cash from somewhere. Prove me wrong, Pau, and come play with the Good Guys!

[CaptainLate]

If he wants the MLE and vastly reduced playing time and a deeply supporting role, then sure, but in no universe is that happening.

Considering his recent injury history, if he wants to play 4-6 more years, he'll need to drastically cut down his PT to extend his career. Spurs are the only team who can do that for him b/c he'll be a 4th option. And we're a perfect fit for his brand of bball. Pau, ask yourself, "How much more money do I need?"

[Vic Petro]

With Melo going back to NYK I'd bet they too are now ahead of San Antonio for Gasol.