Gasol, Lee to opt out of deals with Spurs

Spanish center Pau Gasol will decline a $16.2 million National Basketball Association contract option for next season but plans to re-sign with the San Antonio Spurs, the San Antonio Express-News reported Tuesday.

If the Spurs believe Gasol is in decline, then it will be interesting to see how long they re-sign him for, along with the annual salary.

Sources: Pau Gasol will decline his $16.2M option for 2017-18, but intends to work with Spurs on a longer term deal to remain with team.

The 36-year-old 7-footer (2.13m), who won two National Basketball Association titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, would become a free agent but hopes the move would help him obtain a longer-term contract.

The move frees up much needed cap space for San Antonio and gives the Spurs more financial flexibility headed into the summer free agency period. It wasn't exactly the easiest adjustment for the 7-foot forward, either, considering he notched a career-low 12.4 points per contest with 7.8 rebounds over a limited 25.4 minutes. "I knew it was going to take some time to adjust to a new situation, find out what my role was going to be". And I tried to fit in at first, right?

A two-time All-Star, injuries have plagued Lee in the second half of his career.

The name most often linked to the Spurs, is Chris Paul.

Long thought to be a flawless fit for Gregg Popovich's free-flowing offensive system that has always catered to versatile and cerebral worldwide players, Gasol expanded his game in his first season in San Antonio.