Is Pau Gasol Still in the NBA?
Is Pau Gasol still in the NBA? The answer may surprise you. Read on to find out where the former NBA star is now.
Pau Gasol’s NBA Career
Pau Gasol is a Spanish professional basketball player. He is a six-time NBA All-Star and four-time All-NBA selection, Gasol has won two NBA championships, both with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2002 with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Gasol’s early years with the Memphis Grizzlies
Pau Gasol was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the third overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft, but his rights were immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Gasol made an immediate impact with the team, averaging 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game in his rookie season. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished second in voting for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He continued to improve in his second season, averaging 19.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. The Grizzlies finished the season with a 50–32 record, their first winning record in franchise history, and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since moving to Memphis.
Gasol’s years with the Los Angeles Lakers
Pau Gasol began his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2001-02 season. He helped the team to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances, winning two championships in 2009 and 2010. Gasol was named an All-Star six times during his tenure with the Lakers, and he was also named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.
In 2014, Gasol left the Lakers to join the Chicago Bulls. He spent three seasons with the Bulls, before being traded to the San Antonio Spurs in 2017. Gasol has won two more NBA championships with the Spurs, in 2018 and 2019. He is currently still active with the team.
Gasol’s years with the Chicago Bulls
Pau Gasol joined the Chicago Bulls in 2014, signing a three-year, $22 million deal. He was coming off a season in which he averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game for the Lakers, and was expected to be a key contributor on a Bulls team that had just lost former MVP Derrick Rose to free agency.
Gasol had a solid first season in Chicago, averaging 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 49 percent from the field. He helped the Bulls reach the playoffs, where they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
The following season, Gasol’s numbers dipped somewhat as he struggled with injuries and saw his playing time reduced by head coach Fred Hoiberg. He averaged 13.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game in 2015-16, but was still a key cog on a Bulls team that made it back to the playoffs, this time losing to the Boston Celtics in the first round.
In 2016-17, Gasol played in all 82 games for the first time since 2010-11, averaging 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 45 percent from the field. The Bulls once again reached the playoffs, this time losing to the Cavs in the first round for the third straight year.
After three seasons with the Bulls, Gasol opted out of his contract and became a free agent in 2017.
Gasol’s years with the San Antonio Spurs
Pau Gasol signed with the San Antonio Spurs on July 11, 2016, reuniting with head coach Gregg Popovich. In his first season with the Spurs, he averaged 12.4 points and 6.8 rebounds in 23.2 minutes per game. He helped the team clinch the second-seed in the Western Conference with 61 wins and 21 losses. The Spurs were eventually eliminated by the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Semifinals.
In 2017–18, Gasol injured his left hand early in the season and missed 19 games. He returned to action on December 15 against the Los Angeles Lakers. On January 17, 2018, he had a season-best game with 24 points and 12 rebounds in a 120–111 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He finished the season averaging 10 points and 8 rebounds in 22 minutes per game.
The Spurs won 58 games in 2018–19, earning the seventh seed in the playoffs. They were defeated by the Denver Nuggets in seven games in the first round of the playoffs, with Gasol averaging 6 points and 5 rebounds per game in 12 playoff appearances.
Gasol’s Post-NBA Career
Pau Gasol’s NBA career came to an end in 2019 after he was not signed by any team during free agency. He had announced his retirement from the NBA in early 2020. So what has Gasol been up to since then?
Gasol’s return to the Memphis Grizzlies
Pau Gasol announced his return to the Memphis Grizzlies on a two-year deal, worth $10 million, on July 29th, 2020. This will be Gasol’s second stint with the Grizzlies, as he played for them from 2001 to 2008. In his first stint with the team, Gasol was named an All-Star six times and helped the team make the playoffs seven times. He is also the franchise leader in points, rebounds, and blocks.
Gasol’s return to the Grizzlies comes after he spent the last two seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. Gasol was a key member of the Spurs team that made it to the Western Conference Finals in 2017. However, he only played in three games during the 2018-19 season due to a foot injury. The Spurs waived Gasol in 2019, making him a free agent.
Gasol signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2019 but was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves before he could play a game for them. He only played in 22 games for the Timberwolves before he was traded again, this time to the Charlotte Hornets. Gasol only played eight games for the Hornets before he was bought out of his contract and became a free agent again.
The seven-time All-Star has career averages of 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.
Gasol’s retirement from the NBA
After an illustrious career spanning two decades, Pau Gasol has announced his retirement from the NBA. The Spanish big man was a six-time All-Star and two-time champion, winning titles with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010. He also won an Olympic gold medal with Spain in 2006.
Gasol became a free agent after finishing up his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2020. Although he drew interest from several teams, he ultimately decided to retire from the NBA at the age of 41. In a statement announcing his retirement, Gasol said that he was “grateful for [his] time in the NBA” and that he was “proud of [his] accomplishments.”
Although Gasol’s career is now over, his impact on the game of basketball will be felt for years to come. He was one of the first European players to have success in the NBA, paving the way for many others to follow in his footsteps. Gasol will also be remembered for his humanitarian work off the court, winning multiple awards for his charitable work with children’s hospitals around the world.
What Pau Gasol is Doing Now
Pau Gasol is a Spanish basketball player who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Portland Trail Blazers. He is a six-time NBA All-Star and has won two NBA championships.
Gasol’s work with the Pau Gasol Foundation
Pau Gasol is currently working with his foundation, the Pau Gasol Foundation. The Pau Gasol Foundation is “committed to improving the health and education of children and families in need”.
Some of the ways that the Pau Gasol foundation helps children and families include:
-partnering with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help raise awareness about childhood cancer
– working with World Vision to provide clean water for communities in need
-providing scholarships for students who want to pursue higher education
Gasol’s work as a studio analyst
Pau Gasol is currently working as a studio analyst for Turner Sports. He provides analysis and commentary for NBA games on TNT.
