Pau Gasol
Gasol was another of the many Lakers who didn’t play to his full potential last year. It was a mix of injuries and falling out of the rotation after D’Antoni’s stubbornness. At times, he showed flashes of greatness, while other times showing the Gasol that drives Lakers fans crazy. Gasol will now be the only post option on the Lakers, something he’s never had the luxury of thanks to Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard. I expect a version of Gasol akin to how he plays during the Olympics.
Gasol is already one of the greatest Lakers of all-time, and has a legitimate case for having his jersey retired after his career. He won’t come anywhere close to the $19 million salary he’ll earn this year. Nonetheless, I’d be stunned if the Lakers didn’t bring back Gasol, who still has a lot of year’s left in his legs.
VERDICT: Pau Gasol will be a Lakers in 2014-15