2:27pm: Gasol denied on Twitter that he’s close to signing with Barcelona. “After hearing the news out of Spain today, I wanted to share that I remain focused on my recovery and I am not ready to get back to competing just yet,” he wrote. “As soon as I have something to announce, I will do so via my social media channels.”
1:00pm: Pau Gasol has reached an agreement to play for FC Barcelona the remainder of the season, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando tweets. The agreement was first reported by Jose Ignacio Huguet of Mundo Deportivo.
The 40-year-old six-time NBA All-Star played for Barcelona from 1998-2001 before beginning his NBA career with the Grizzlies. Gasol was hoping to latch onto another NBA team, particularly the Lakers, where his brother Marc Gasol currently plays.
That didn’t happen and he has apparently decided to return to his home country. He has talked about wanting to represent Spain at the Tokyo Olympics in the summer.
Gasol has not appeared in an NBA game since March 2019 due to foot injuries. He underwent two surgeries to repair stress fractures in the navicular bone in his left foot since he last played in the league.
Gasol averaged 17 PPG, 9.2 RPG and 3.2 APG while building a Hall of Fame resume and winning two championships with the Lakers.
I am not sure this is a denial. He just said he’s not ready to play yet, not that he hasn’t reached an agreement. It seems intentionally cryptic to me.
averaged over 20 pts twice, averaged 10+rebounds 5 times in his career. really good player and a great career but not HOF worthy
ROY, 2 rings, 4x All-NBA, 6x AS. That without taking into account his international résumé. You must be kidding, he’s a lock.
not saying he isnt a fringe HOF player but definetly not a lock. hes not someone I’m gonna tell my grandkids about one day.
The basketball HOF is nothing like the baseball HOF, it’s not that hard to get into. Gasol will have no difficulty getting in the HOF.
NBA is over for him. He should just end it in his hometown. He had a great career here. They would love to see him play.
Lakers should give him a shot, esp with AD out. They need someone to fill that gap. Plus the camaraderie of the brothers would likely be contagious (no pun intended).
Also Gasol rearranged is Lagos which is “lakes” in Spanish (though not in Catalan, an important distinction).
Pau would be an immediate upgrade over his brother with the Lakers. Marc is just a liability on the court.