NBA: Ranking The Top 25 Free Agents Of 2016

Jan 20, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is injured during the first half against Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is injured during the first half against Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) backs down Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) backs down Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

9 – Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls – 7’0″ Forward/Center

Pau Gasol is entering his 16th season in the NBA, but by looking at his stats from the previous two years, you would think he is in his prime. Coming off a season averaging a double-double of 16.5 PPG and 11.0 RPG to go along with 4.1 APG, these are no mediocre numbers. Pau is playing like the vintage Gasol we saw with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

Now, the Bulls know fine well that Gasol does not have many more seasons like this left in him, but the question is how many does he have? For teams looking to make a run at the Finals within the next two years, Pau could be their guy.

Gasol has stated that he would like to return to the Bulls for another season, but the fact is the Bulls are trying to start rebuilding around their superstar Jimmy Butler. Gaol might not fit into that rebuilding process, especially if he’s hoping to make around $7.8 million – or perhaps more – like he did last year. It is more than likely that Pau has played his last game in Chicago, but what team could snag this all-star talent?

Next: Rajon Rondo