Spurs contact Pau Gasol reportedly

[SpursFan86]

The Bulls are apparently going after Stephenson. Hopefully they work something out with him, leaving Pau to decide between NY/LA/OKC/us. I think we'd be the 2nd choice after LA in that scenario.

BTW, Malik Hairston, you're killing me with these Mia Malkova avatars...

[Ron Swanson]

The Bulls are apparently going after Stephenson. Hopefully they work something out with him, leaving Pau to decide between NY/LA/OKC/us. I think we'd be the 2nd choice after LA in that scenario.

BTW, Malik Hairston, you're killing me with these Mia Malkova avatars...

No kidding.

[ceperez]

1. Pau Gasol seems made for this Spurs team -- in demeanor, in style of play, in priorities, in culture.

2. It makes perfect sense for the Spurs to do all of their due diligence to make the offer and ensure that they've given Pau every shred of information and understanding he might need about their sincere desire to add him.

3. Most commentators/pundits would applaud Pau for taking less money than might be offered in other places to try to win in SA.

4. Pau coming to SA would be the perfect ending to Pop's sarcastic call for a trade committee in 2008.

5. I don't think there's any realistic chance that Pau Gasol will play for the Spurs in 2014-15.

I think #4 is the best reason why Pau should sign with the Spurs. Payback time for how the Lakers have treated him recently.

[Spur|n|Austin]

I really like how things are sounding right now for the Spurs and Gasol. Seems like good ol' quiet fashion from RC and Pop.

[FireMicoHalili]

Lots of interest in Gasol from the Spurs, sure I love it, but I wonder why they haven't met with him. None that I've heard of, at least. I mean, if they have this "persistence", as Wojnarowski recently reported, why haven't they scheduled to meet him? If they can set something up with Bazemore with a casual interest, surely this persistence pushes them to at least set a meeting? OKC's done it afaik

[Mel_13]

Lots of interest in Gasol from the Spurs, sure I love it, but I wonder why they haven't met with him. None that I've heard of, at least. I mean, if they have this "persistence", as Wojnarowski recently reported, why haven't they scheduled to meet him? If they can set something up with Bazemore with a casual interest, surely this persistence pushes them to at least set a meeting? OKC's done it afaik

I'm sure they'd welcome a visit by Gasol. Durant, Westbrook, and Brooks went to LA to talk to Gasol. I don't see Pop and Tim flying to LA to recruit Gasol.

[DPG21920]

I believe when you hear "persistence" regarding the Spurs it means they have been in consistent contact with Paus camp. They made their best offer, offer up their ear in case he has questions & perhaps outline their plans for him.

[TheGoldStandard]

Lots of interest in Gasol from the Spurs, sure I love it, but I wonder why they haven't met with him. None that I've heard of, at least. I mean, if they have this "persistence", as Wojnarowski recently reported, why haven't they scheduled to meet him? If they can set something up with Bazemore with a casual interest, surely this persistence pushes them to at least set a meeting? OKC's done it afaik

The Spurs won't go out of there way to do a song and dance for a Free Agent. RC is probably making calls everyday saying they're still interested and would make roster room for him if he decided to come, probably said he would be in contention for a starting spot during camp. Outside of that the Spurs won't do much else, it's up to the individual players etc coaches to reach out and gauge interest which Parker has been on the record as saying he would like Pau, they had dinner etc but that's about it. If asked Tim would probably make a phone call or take a phone call, sit in on a conference call but he's not going to drop what he's doing to go fly to LA to talk to Pau.

If Pop or RC called him up and asked him to fly down for a day or two to see how he likes the culture and they got him in a room Pop would sell him in a heartbeat. The intelligence of that man is second to none in the league and Pau would be a fool to want to be coached anywhere else.

[FireMicoHalili]

I'm sure they'd welcome a visit by Gasol. Durant, Westbrook, and Brooks went to LA to talk to Gasol. I don't see Pop and Tim flying to LA to recruit Gasol.

Heard nothing of Bazemore's meetings with the Spurs, and I'm hardly acquainted with how Spurs sign FAs. Certainly haven't heard of them wooing players though so you're right, Pop and Co. probably aren't that big on recruitment. Thanks

[SouthernFried]

5. I don't think there's any realistic chance that Pau Gasol will play for the Spurs in 2014-15.

This

[FireMicoHalili]

The Spurs won't go out of there way to do a song and dance for a Free Agent. RC is probably making calls everyday saying they're still interested and would make roster room for him if he decided to come, probably said he would be in contention for a starting spot during camp. Outside of that the Spurs won't do much else, it's up to the individual players etc coaches to reach out and gauge interest which Parker has been on the record as saying he would like Pau, they had dinner etc but that's about it. If asked Tim would probably make a phone call or take a phone call, sit in on a conference call but he's not going to drop what he's doing to go fly to LA to talk to Pau.

If Pop or RC called him up and asked him to fly down for a day or two to see how he likes the culture and they got him in a room Pop would sell him in a heartbeat. The intelligence of that man is second to none in the league and Pau would be a fool to want to be coached anywhere else.

Aight thanks for your two cents man

[midnightpulp]

Hope this gets done. It's a long shot (Gasol's camp probably using the Spurs as leverage), but at least there's a shot. Gasol, while no spring chicken, is still relatively young and should have a good 3-4 years left if he stays healthy, since his game doesn't rely on athleticism. He's basically a clone of Duncan without the defense, but has a better jumper. Gasol would be about the best you can do for a Duncan replacement going forward if Tim retires after this season. Gasol coming opens up the contender/ le window for another 3 or 4 years.

[FromWayDowntown]

I think the Spurs have learned that the wining and dining doesn't really do much (and shouldn't). If a player is actually going to make a decision based on being wooed, I'd actually wonder about the sincerity of the choice he's making.

With a player who's been around the league for a very long time, like Gasol has, what the Spurs offer is well-known and quite obvious. All that's there for the Spurs, really, is to express their interest, answer whatever questions or concerns the player might have, and make an offer and see what he does with it.

My guess is that meetings with guys like Bazemore aren't really to pitch the Spurs to him as much as they are for the team to learn more about the player. A meeting with a younger player who's more of an unknown makes more sense to me, as a means for the team to gauge what the player is about and whether he's likely to fit in to your culture

[jag]

I think the Spurs have learned that the wining and dining doesn't really do much (and shouldn't). If a player is actually going to make a decision based on being wooed, I'd actually wonder about the sincerity of the choice he's making.

With a player who's been around the league for a very long time, like Gasol has, what the Spurs offer is well-known and quite obvious. All that's there for the Spurs, really, is to express their interest, answer whatever questions or concerns the player might have, and make an offer and see what he does with it.

My guess is that meetings with guys like Bazemore aren't really to pitch the Spurs to him as much as they are for the team to learn more about the player. A meeting with a younger player who's more of an unknown makes more sense to me, as a means for the team to gauge what the player is about and whether he's likely to fit in to your culture

[FromWayDowntown]

I also think some teams use "meetings" with players as a way to convince fans that they've tried to make changes in some tangible way and to give them cover when fans start suggesting that the team hasn't tried. If you meet with a player and pitch your team to him, when he chooses to go elsewhere it's on him; your fans can at least say you've tried.

I don't think the Spurs really care much about placating their fans in that way.

[dunkman]

Pau will be a Spur.

[Uriel]

If Melo signs with the Bulls, will they also have enough cap space to sign Gasol? If not, then shouldn't Spurs fans be hoping that Melo picks Chicago so Gasol comes to San Antonio?

[SpursFan86]

If Melo signs with the Bulls, will they also have enough cap space to sign Gasol? If not, then shouldn't Spurs fans be hoping that Melo picks Chicago so Gasol comes to San Antonio?

From the sound of things, Melo's options are basically down to NY and LA...Chicago is out of the picture at this point it seems.

A more likely scenario we should hope for would be the Bulls signing Lance Stephenson (who they expressed interest in yesterday), in which case I think they'd have to give up on Pau.

[SsKSpurs21]

I am now starting to think that Pau is using the Spurs as leverage. He is basically keeping the Spurs in his back pocket because everyone knows how much better the Spurs will be with Pau. This will probably scare the bulls or lakers into overpaying him just to keep him away from San An.

[TheGoldStandard]

From the sound of things, Melo's options are basically down to NY and LA...Chicago is out of the picture at this point it seems.

A more likely scenario we should hope for would be the Bulls signing Lance Stephenson (who they expressed interest in yesterday), in which case I think they'd have to give up on Pau.

Melo would be a complete dumbass to go to LA. That place is a cesspool now.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

I am now starting to think that Pau is using the Spurs as leverage. He is basically keeping the Spurs in his back pocket because everyone knows how much better the Spurs will be with Pau. This will probably scare the bulls or lakers into overpaying him just to keep him away from San An.

For one, Lakers can pay Gasol whatever they like. This would have no bearing on how much the Lakers offer him. The Bulls are out East and could careless about the Spurs right now. They still have to make it past the Wizards for crying out loud.

Gasol already put a price tag on himself, 10 mil. Only way the Bulls can get Gasol for that price tag is by Amnestying Boozer, which would be a stupid move at this point. NY only has the mini MLE to offer Gasol. OKC is out of the running.

So its b/n the Lakers and Spurs at this point IMO. I think the Bulls are balking on the idea of Amnestying Boozer and are looking to the S&T for Stephenson. IF Melo signs with the Lakers, Pau possibly goes back, but if he signs with NY, Pau probably goes to the Spurs.

[jag]

For one, Lakers can pay Gasol whatever they like. This would have no bearing on how much the Lakers offer him. The Bulls are out East and could careless about the Spurs right now. They still have to make it past the Wizards for crying out loud.

Gasol already put a price tag on himself, 10 mil. Only way the Bulls can get Gasol for that price tag is by Amnestying Boozer, which would be a stupid move at this point. NY only has the mini MLE to offer Gasol. OKC is out of the running.

So its b/n the Lakers and Spurs at this point IMO. I think the Bulls are balking on the idea of Amnestying Boozer and are looking to the S&T for Stephenson. IF Melo signs with the Lakers, Pau possibly goes back, but if he signs with NY, Pau probably goes to the Spurs.

I still don't see why Pau wouldn't take significantly more money to stay in LA. I think it's actually between the Bulls and Lakers.

The Bulls will continue to try to trade Boozer but I doubt they'll be able to unload him. If they're still stuck with him on the 16th, I think he'll be amnestied. Gasol will then go to the Bulls.

[Mel_13]

For one, Lakers can pay Gasol whatever they like. This would have no bearing on how much the Lakers offer him. The Bulls are out East and could careless about the Spurs right now. They still have to make it past the Wizards for crying out loud.

Gasol already put a price tag on himself, 10 mil. Only way the Bulls can get Gasol for that price tag is by Amnestying Boozer, which would be a stupid move at this point. NY only has the mini MLE to offer Gasol. OKC is out of the running.

So its b/n the Lakers and Spurs at this point IMO. I think the Bulls are balking on the idea of Amnestying Boozer and are looking to the S&T for Stephenson. IF Melo signs with the Lakers, Pau possibly goes back, but if he signs with NY, Pau probably goes to the Spurs.

1. They can pay Pau whatever they like once they've given up on Melo.

2. Why is it more likely that Pau would stay in LA if Melo chooses the Lakers? In that scenario, Pau has to take a huge pay cut.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

I still don't see why Pau wouldn't take significantly more money to stay in LA. I think it's actually between the Bulls and Lakers.

The Bulls will continue to try to trade Boozer but I doubt they'll be able to unload him. If they're still stuck with him on the 16th, I think he'll be amnestied. Gasol will then go to the Bulls.

Why??

Maybe b/c they have treated him like for the past 3 years. Kobe's wife breaking up his engagement, Kobe always criticizing him, fans there always calling him soft, need I go on.

There is a reason that dude broke mentality last year. He just had enough of that circus. Even Horry and Malone said playing for the Lakers was like a circus. Only can take so much of that .

[jag]

If/when Melo goes to NY and if/when the Bulls amnesty Boozer, there will be two teams able to offer Pau the money he's looking for.

A lot of strange stuff would have to happen in LA and Chicago for the Spurs to legitimately be in play for Pau.