If the Minnesota Timberwolves’ offseason was a Black Eyed Peas song, it might just be “Boom Boom Pau.”
According to a report by Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press on Saturday, the Wolves are pushing to sign six-time All-Star big man Pau Gasol. Head coach Tom Thibodeau, Gasol’s former coach on the Chicago Bulls, is said to have had a lengthy talk with the Spanish center on Friday night. Krawczynski also notes that Gasol is strongly considering the Blazers and the Spurs as well.
I'm told Thibodeau had a long talk with Pau Gasol last night. Wolves pushing for him. Pau looking hard at Portland, San Antonio as well
— Jon Krawczynski (@APkrawczynski) July 2, 2016
Should he sign in Minnesota, the 35-year-old Gasol would likely have to settle for backup duties behind young Padawans Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng, particularly if Thibodeau wants his starting unit to play at a fast pace. That might work considering that Gasol is best suited for a bench role at this stage of his career. But if Gasol wants to chase another championship in his twilight years, he’s probably better off casting his lot elsewhere.
Portland’s interest in Gasol has been noted before, while Gasol’s own brother thinks he should sign with San Antonio, a team whose constant presence in the title hunt goes without saying. The two-time NBA champion doesn’t seem likely to join a rebuilding team as his basketball years wind down, so the latter two destinations may represent the more plausible scenarios.
H/T Rotoworld
