Pau Gasol vs Kobe Bryant Old Teammates Duel 2016.01.28 - Pau With 21 Pts, 12 Rebs, 7 Ast!
In 2014, Pau Gasol chose the Bulls over the Spurs, thinking it gave him a better chance at an NBA title.
Two years later, Gasol chose the Spurs after leaving the Bulls, who are no longer in championship contention.
Gasol has verbally agreed to join the Spurs, a league source confirmed, though contract details are being finalized. The Vertical first reported the news of Gasol"s commitment and said his two-year deal with a player option will be worth $30 million.
Gasol, who turns 36 on Wednesday, earned two All-Star appearances in his two seasons with the Bulls. But the veteran center declined his player option for a third season on June 27 and will make double the amount of that player option with the Spurs.
"As strong as anyone"s," Gasol said in January 2015, when asked how close he came to signing with the Spurs in 2014.
The Knicks and Thunder also pursued Gasol back in that summer. This summer, the Raptors and Trail Blazers were the Spurs" main competition. The Bulls landed their starting center in the Derrick Rose trade in big man Robin Lopez.
Gasol always has had high admiration for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
"It was great to speak with him," Gasol said in January 2015. "I have the utmost admiration for him and respect. Great coach, great person just to have a conversation with. I hope in the future I have more conversations with him."
Gasol will now.
Gasol is set to play in his fourth Olympics this summer with the Spanish national team.
Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-pau-gasol-joins-spurs-20160704-story.html
