Earlier this month, 20-year NBA veteran Pau Gasol announced that he would be leaving the Portland Trailblazers in order to prioritize his rehabilitation from an injury he suffered earlier in the year. Gasol underwent surgery for the injury in May but after assessment, realized the injury would take longer to heal than originally thought. Gasol has been rehabbing in his home country of Spain but will return to Portland at some point next week. As he is still recovering, there are rumors that the Spaniard could possibly join the Trailblazers coaching staff — something that Portland head coach Terry Stotts was unsure of.
He's having some procedures done and that's taking up some time right now,” Stotts said.
Gasol signed a one year deal with the Blazers this summer but after playing just 30 games for both the San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks last season, injuries may have caught up with the 39-year-old.
Gasol is one of the best international players in NBA history. The two-time NBA champion has made six All-Star Game appearances and four on the All-NBA second and third teams.
For his career, the 7-foot-1, 250-pound power forward has averaged 17.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists playing for five NBA teams, primarily the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Being 39 years old, Gasol was unlikely to play heavy minutes for the Blazers. However, with injuries to Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins, the opportunity would have likely been there for the veteran if he was healthy.
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