Impending free agent Marc Gasol may have been drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2007, but that doesn’t mean the team holds a special place in his heart.
Set to become one of the most highly sought-after free agents when the market opens later this week, Gasol will likely receive overtures from multiple clubs. However, it appears the Lakers probably shouldn’t waste their time.
According to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times, Gasol has “no interest” in joining the Lakers.
“Marc Gasol has no interest in the Lakers because of the uneasy last few years his brother spent with them, according to numerous people familiar with the situation.”
Gasol likely won’t be the Lakers' top target when free agency opens. That distinction will probably go to Portland Trail Blazers All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge. In no way does this mean the Lakers wouldn’t look to sign Gasol should Aldridge -- like many other top free agents in the past -- spurn the Southern California market for another region.
This is just the latest example of a top-end free agent turning away from a team that had, in the past, been one of the most attractive destinations in the NBA. As the Times indicates, that growing list already includes Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and Carmelo Anthony.
At this point, Gasol seems to be most interested in a return to Memphis or joining forces with Tim Duncan in San Antonio. But there likely could be more teams on his short list later this year.
As for the Lakers, all of their eggs seem to be in Aldridge’s basket.
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