By Jordan Long
The San Antonio Spurs reached a buyout with center Pau Gasol. Gasol wasn’t playing much for the Spurs who hold the 8th seed in the Western Conference. Gasol was averaging 12.2 minutes per game, the worst in his career. In those minutes he scored 4.2 points and added 4.7 rebounds. Gasol knew he wasn’t part of the Spurs future plans and they agreed to buyout the rest of his contract. The Spurs owe him $4.2 million next year.
Gasol wants to be part of a championship team. The Spurs aren’t making a deep run in the playoffs this season. They would be lucky to make the playoffs, but they would likely be out in the 1st– round. He wants another ring and the buyout allowed him to be a free agent to pick a contending team. Gasol decided to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks.
According to Yahoosports.com, Gasol said, “Thrilled to begin this new chapter in my NBA journey with the great Bucks. I look forward to the challenge. My goal, as always, will be to add value to the team and help deliver a championship to Milwaukee.”
The Bucks are 1st in the Eastern Conference, 2.5 games ahead of the Indiana Pacers. Gasol should help this young Bucks team make a run to the NBA Finals. He has appeared in 136 playoff games in his career.
For the remainder of the regular season, Gasol is going to be on the bench. He should see playing time when Brook Lopez needs a rest. Gasol will be able to play defense and not allow opponents to score or rebound on the defensive end.
Offensively, Gasol will set up down low near the basket. He will drive into the lane for layups or dunks. When there is an offensive rebound, he will grab it. This will allow him to put the basketball back up for points or have the Bucks set-up the offense again.
This was a smart move by the Bucks. They know their core is young and doesn’t have much experience in the playoffs. The Bucks playoff history isn’t great. They haven’t advanced past the 1st-round since 2001 when they went to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bucks hope that Gasol is their missing piece to put a championship run together. t
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