Pau Gasol Declines Option (CP3 We Looking At You)

[MillionMills]

Pau Gasol will decline his $16.2 million option with the San Antonio Spurs for next season and become a free agent, according to a report Tuesday.

The Vertical reported that Gasol, who will turn 37 in July, may enter talks to return to the Spurs at a lower salary to help the team entering free agency.

In addition, the San Antonio Express-News reported that David Lee also is expected to opt out of his $1.6 million deal with the Spurs for next season.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich mentioned the club's decision-making process in free agency would be "pretty complicated" and depend "on a lot of factors." Gasol's decision serves as one of the most significant components in shaping San Antonio's plans for free agency.

During a 2016 offseason in which the Spurs (along with most of the league) chased
Kevin Durant, Gasol emerged as the club's most high-profile acquisition in free agency.

The veteran finished his first season in San Antonio averaging a career-low 12.4 points, but he also attempted a career-low 9.4 shots per game. Gasol averaged 7.8 rebounds and connected on 53.8 percent from 3-point range.

Popovich said Gasol adjusted to San Antonio's system "better than most people who have come here for the first year. It's a whole new system, all new players, many of whom are getting used to the system at the same time he is. So, it's not like it was our core group and just added him. Considering all that, I think he's done a great job of trying to figure things out; accepting coming off the bench to make us a better team. I think he did a good job."

Gasol fractured the fourth metacarpal on his left hand in January and eventually lost his starting job to journeyman Dewayne Dedmon. Still, Gasol embraced the new role and transformed himself into somewhat of a stretch-5 to better fit his new responsibilities off the bench.

Set to enter his 18th NBA season, Gasol has averaged 17.9 points and 9.4 rebounds for his career.

ESPN's Michael C. Wright contributed to this report.

CP3 to the Spurs more likely now

 

[Regular_P]

Damn, he turned down a lot of money. We sure Pau and CP3 want to play on the same team though?

 

[malbaker86]

Find a suitor for LMA and all is well

 

[Black White Sox Hat]

Too soft of a player for Pop

 

[Remote]

 

[MillionMills]

Too soft of a player for Pop

He wants to resign at a discount

He wants the point god to come

 

[75 Others]

I honestly cannot see CP3 playing with the Spurs. That whole season can be a Twilight Zone episode.

 

[CHICAGO]

PAU MUST HAVE A MULTI YEAR DEAL LINED UP SOME WHERE,
BECAUSE IT MAKES NO SENSE TO TURN DOWN THAT TYPE OF MONEY
AT HIS AGE.

HE DAMN SURE NOT RESIGNING WITH SAS FOR LESS MONEY
TO HELP THE TEAM.

HE PLAYED THERE ONE SEASON.

WHY WOULD HE HAVE LOYALTY TO THEM?



​

 

[FAH1223]

He's probably staying at a discount. Lot of money to walk away from...

 

[LinusCaldwell]

He didn't like how Pop put him on blast in front of the team in the playoffs yelling in his face. Took him back to the Laker days when Kobe was getting at him

 

[The God Poster]

Too soft of a player for Pop

When they bring him back

 

[Stop_It_5]

PAU MUST HAVE A MULTI YEAR DEAL LINED UP SOME WHERE,
BECAUSE IT MAKES NO SENSE TO TURN DOWN THAT TYPE OF MONEY
AT HIS AGE.

HE DAMN SURE NOT RESIGNING WITH SAS FOR LESS MONEY
TO HELP THE TEAM.

HE PLAYED THERE ONE SEASON.

WHY WOULD HE HAVE LOYALTY TO THEM?



​

Pau's been around a longtime and made a lot of money. Doubt he's been sloppy with it either, probably made enough + invested wisely enough between he and his brother to support their family 4 or 5 generations down the line, if not more.

It's not about loyalty to SA as much as it's loving his one season there and wanting to end his career there with a team as good as it can possibly be.

 

[NoMorePie]

Likely going to sign some come of 3 yr $21 or $30m contract. He can easily play off the bench until he's 40

I'd prefer they go after George hill though..

 

[CHICAGO]

MAGIC BRINGING PAU BACK HOME?

IS HE REUNITING WITH THIBS IN MINNY?



​

 

[Cory MBA]

PAU MUST HAVE A MULTI YEAR DEAL LINED UP SOME WHERE,
BECAUSE IT MAKES NO SENSE TO TURN DOWN THAT TYPE OF MONEY
AT HIS AGE.

HE DAMN SURE NOT RESIGNING WITH SAS FOR LESS MONEY
TO HELP THE TEAM.

HE PLAYED THERE ONE SEASON.

WHY WOULD HE HAVE LOYALTY TO THEM?



​

Maybe he is going back to Memphis to play with Marc.