Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol were both scheduled to become free agents this summer until Kobe got a contract extension. Will Gasol receive the same treatment?
Probably not.
Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com:
The 13-year veteran said that he did not know if Bryant’s deal means that the Lakers will also want to negotiate with him before the season ends.
“I try not to make that assumption,” Gasol said after shootaround Tuesday in advance of the Lakers game against the Washington Wizards. “If I am, I will. If I’m not . . . I’m just focusing on trying to play as well as I can and finish the season as good as I can so I’m in the best position as possible for next year. That’s just my mindset about it.”
“We have not had any discussions with Pau,” Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said Tuesday on a conference call with a small group of reporters. “I’m sure I will and where that leads I’m not sure right now. A lot has to do with different variables. I’m not saying that something won’t be considered and I’m not saying that something will be. I’m just saying that it’s not something that came up and it wouldn’t have come up before (Monday) anyway. There was no reason for anything to take place until we signed Kobe. So, we’ll kind of roll with that and see where it leads.”
There’s little reason for the Lakers to offer Gasol more than a small salary-extension that still leaves them cap space to sign a major free agent, and there’s little reason for Gasol to accept a deal like that. A small offer from the Lakers will likely always be on the table. If he waits until the offseason, he might command a large offer from another team or the Lakers if they miss on more desirable targets.
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Kobe got an extension because he’s Kobe, the undeniable face of the Lakers right now and legitimate threat to retire as the greatest Laker of all time. That’s helpful for selling tickets and merchandise. That’s helpful for attracting free agents. That’s helpful for winning.
Though Gasol is a solid player, he’s not nearly on that level, and that’s why it’d be shocking if he signs an extension.
