Pau Gasol Returning to the Lakers Could be a Perfect Fit
By Will Fowler
It's fair to say that Pau Gasol may be a little bit past his prime, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a role to fill on an NBA team.
With recent reports surfacing that he's looking to make a comeback to the NBA, there is one team that may be a perfect fit for him, and it's a team that he's very familiar with: the Los Angeles Lakers.
Free agent C @paugasol wants to return next season and says he's recovering well from left foot procedure. He tells ESPN: "My recovery from surgery has been smooth and I expect to be fully cleared for basketball activities in early August. I cannot wait to start training again."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
On the Lakers end of things, there is a clear and obvious need for centers as they currently have approximately zero on the current roster. With most of the veterans they signed last offseason hitting the market again this year, a low-risk one-year deal for the 38-year-old wouldn't be the worst idea, especially if his workload is going to be significantly reduced due to LeBron, Anthony Davis, and potentially Kawhi Leonard playing with him.
For Gasol, the deal would make sense too. He would be headed back to a fan base that already loves him, and he would be playing with little to no pressure given the big names already on the roster. On both ends, this deal seems like a win-win.
Would a 38-year-old Pau Gasol be a difference-maker for the Lakers? No.
— Christian Rivas (@RadRivas) July 1, 2019
Do I still want him? Yes — very badly. https://t.co/DRIOL8HoBI
Gasol spent seven seasons with the Lakers, winning back-to-back rings with the team in 2008-09 and 2009-10. He likely won't see more than 15-20 minutes a night in LA, should he return, but he could provide some veteran experience and a strong mentality to the locker room.