Pau Gasol will become a free agent after the 2015-16 NBA season and is expected to get the attention of several teams. While he wants to stay with the Chicago Bulls, the veteran is unsure if his team is planning to keep him beyond the current season.
Gasol, who is averaging 16.9 points on top of 10.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game this season, reiterated that he is not yet thinking of free agency but quickly added that want to re-sign with the Bulls in the offseason.
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"We'll see what happens," Gasol told Marca via RealGM. "The Bulls' door is open because I will exercise my option contract and be a free agent, and Chicago will always be my first choice."
The 35-year-old turned down bigger offers in 2014 to sign a three-year, $22.3 million deal with the Bulls in the hope of winning a championship. Winning a title in Chicago remains as his top priority, but he is not sure whether or not the Bulls will make a strong push to keep him.
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"I do not know how hard the franchise might try to keep me," Gasol added. "I know I gave up a better deal economically to be on a team with the chance to win a ring. If this situation does not occur, I have to value other things. Of course the most important thing is not money."
Gasol, who has two NBA championships in his career, was also mentioned in trade rumors before the deadline in February. But in an interview with Chicago Tribune, Bulls general manager Gar Forman clarified that they did not shop Gasol, saying that the Spaniard is a valuable part of their team.
"We value Pau," Forman said of Gasol. "We value him on the floor and the leadership he brings. We didn't make calls looking to move Pau. We received calls on most of our players."
The Bulls will have to make critical decision this summer, which is expected to be a busy summer for all teams due to the impending increase in salary cap. Aside from Gasol, Bulls center Joakim Noah will also become a free agent, while Taj Gibson could also ask for a new deal on top of his current contract that will expire next year.
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