NBA Rumors: Bulls ‘Softening’ On Stance To Re-Sign Pau Gasol

Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports

It has been a rough few years for veteran forward Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls. As if dealing with endless trade rumors with the Los Angeles Lakers wasn’t bad enough, Gasol has dealt with similar issues during his short time with the Bulls.

Although Gasol’s name was mentioned frequently heading toward the NBA trade deadline last month, the team ultimately kept the two-time NBA champion and pledged they’d like to re-sign him in the offseason. Gasol has a player option for $7.7 million for next season, but will likely opt out of the deal to secure a long-term contract in Chicago or elsewhere.

According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, the team may be second-guessing re-signing Gasol this summer:

Sources said the Bulls are softening on the public stance general manager Gar Forman issued at the trade deadline that Gasol “is part of the core,” not to mention Gasol is open-minded to entertaining rival offers.

Over the last few months, the Bulls organization has been linked to all sorts of rumors and speculation about the future of the franchise. Jimmy Butler has been the player surfacing in the majority of rumors as of late with talk of the team potentially trading him in the offseason, but it may ultimately be Gasol who heads to another team.

Although Gasol’s status in Chicago is up in the air, the veteran forward has played well since signing with Chicago a few years back. Gasol has appeared in two All-Star games for the Bulls and continues to put up solid numbers across the board averaging 16.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game.

As for the Bulls, Chicago may miss the playoffs altogether this season. The once-dominant franchise is sporting a 38-37 record while sitting in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with the Indiana PAcers (39-36) and Detroit Pistons (40-35) ahead of them in the standings.

The Bulls currently have 75/1 odds of coming out on top in the East this year and 250/1 to win the NBA title, according to Sportsbook.ag.