It’s not the biggest news out of the NBA’s free agency season, but it does come with a tall order. On Twitter, Pau Gasol announced that he’ll be joining the San Antonio Spurs this coming season, a day removed from Kevin Durant’s announcement stating he’s chosen to join the Golden State Warriors. Gasol’s decision doesn’t necessarily make the Spurs formidable against the Warriors, but it does make the most sense for the 35-year-old from Spain.
Gasol had emerged as a big target for some organizations such as the Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, and Minnesota Timberwolves. But with news of Tim Duncan’s likely retirement, the Spurs decided to join in the fray and get a replacement fitting their system. And one Spurs legend thinks it was a great idea to bring Gasol aboard.
https://twitter.com/DavidtheAdmiral/status/750136877093625861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
In order to replace Duncan, the Spurs needed a big guy who would average double digits in points and rebounding and be able to feed the ball well like Duncan. Gasol does just that.
According to ESPN, Gasol agreed to a two-year deal worth more than $30 million. With the Bulls, Gasol complemented Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose down low, and despite the team not making the playoffs in 2016, Gasol averaged 16.5 points and and 11 rebounds over 72 games, which were better numbers than Duncan had at Gasol’s age.
The question is this: is the projected starting five of Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Danny Green, and Pau Gasol strong enough to conquer the projected starting five of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors? Business has just picked up.