Pau Gasol's name saw a big spike in the National Basketball Association (NBA) trade rumor mill in the last couple of days; but as it turns out, Gasol is staying in Chicago.
Gasol was linked to the New York Knicks and the Sacramento Kings but with the NBA trade deadline lapsing, nothing really materialized.
A stint with the Knicks would have been a no-brainer. Everyone knows that Phil Jackson has coached the center-forward before with the Lakers, so adding him to ease the burden of learning the triangle is seen as a reason.
The Kings would have been a curious destination for the Spaniard, seeing the team was in need of a reliable forward who can contribute any night.
Rumors had it that Gasol and Tony Snell were headed to Sacramento, with the Bulls getting Ben McLemore and Kosta Koufus in return. The deal would have also helped lower the lottery protection owed by the Kings to the Bulls per the Vertical.
With the deal failing to materialize, it seems that everything will remain unchanged at least until the end of this season.
It is no secret that Gasol is expected to decline the $7.7 million player option of his contract as he seeks higher pay tied up with the increased salary cap.
Had he ended up with another team, chances are it would have been only temporary. Gasol would have donned a uniform for the remainder of the NBA season but may likely move once more unless the new team gives him his expected financial due.
With Gasol remaining in Chicago, it will be interesting to see if he can push himself to help out the team as they try to prep for the postseason wars. Joakim Noah is lost for the season, and Gasol is seen as the person who needs to lead the likes of Taj Gibson and rookie Bobby Portis to help out the cause of head coach Fred Hoiberg.
