New York Knicks: Player Options To Keep An Eye On

Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls

Position: Center
Age: 35
Slash Line: .469/.348/.792
Season Averages: 31.8 MPG, 16.5 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.2 ORPG, 4.1 APG, 2.0 BPG

One day, Pau Gasol will be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Between his NBA accolades—two-time NBA champion, six-time All-Star, and four-time All-NBA member—and his European success—where to begin?—Gasol has carved out a legendary career.

At 35 years old, Gasol has proven more than capable of being an asset to any and every team in the NBA—especially the New York Knicks.

As Phil Jackson and the Knicks attempt to teach the players how to properly run the Triangle Offense, one can’t help but believe Gasol would be of great aid. The incomparably skilled big man won two championships as the interior centerpiece of the Triangle, and did so while playing for Jackson.

If Gasol is willing to come off of the bench in relief of Robin Lopez and Kristaps Porzingis, he could both contend for Sixth Man of the Year and become the perfect mentor to New York’s young phenom.

Gasol’s history with Jackson and the Triangle Offense makes him an easy target. The fact that he took a pay cut for a chance to win with then Chicago Bulls suggests he may be willing to do the same in New York, especially when one considers that his pay cut would be relative to the massive rise in the salary cap.

If Gasol can be signed for an affordable cost, it’d behoove Jackson to acquire the perfect mentor to Porzingis, and the ideal veteran complement to Carmelo Anthony.

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