When the Los Angeles Lakers signed free agent center Marc Gasol in the offseason, the chorus of fans clamoring for his brother, Pau Gasol, to return to the franchise was swift and decisive. The older Gasol, who did not play a minute of NBA basketball last season, won two championships with the Lakers and could join them again in hopes of winning a third as the first brothers to play together for the purple and gold.
Pau is seemingly more than open to the idea. In fact, the big man told ESPN’s Zach Lowe that it “would be incredible” to join his brother in LA.
Following via Lowe:
“There is meaning and history there,” said Gasol, who won titles with the Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant in 2009 and 2010. “I’m not going to lie. It would be very special, and now that my brother [Marc] is there, even more special. But I’m not in a position now to be very demanding. I don’t have 10 offers on the table.”
“He had several teams that were interested,” Pau Gasol said of his brother. “What he valued most was the opportunity to win another championship. To play for the Lakers — it’s such a unique franchise. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, and it’s very special for us to be the first brothers to play for the Lakers.”
“It would be incredible if it ends up happening where I can join the team at some point,” Gasol added.
Pau is obviously nowhere near the player he was for the Lakers in 2009 and 2010 when they repeated as champions. Coming off a foot injury and two surgeries, it’s difficult to see him being a major contributor, though he admitted to Lowe that he does not want a role where he cannot play some role on the court.
The Lakers have four frontcourt players in Anthony Davis, Montrezl Harrell, Markieff Morris and Marc Gasol. Pau could theoretically slot in as a second “traditional” center behind his brother to be used in case of injuries.
Lowe writes that the Lakers’ level of interest in Gasol is unclear with just one open roster spot, currently. Gasol’s position is arguably their biggest need but it’s also a matter of how much they think he can provide them if it becomes necessary.
Fans may not care about that though as they surely want to see one of the most beloved Lakers of all time return home for a swan song that ends in yet another ring.
