Marc Gasol announced his retirement from the Spanish national team after a 95-81 loss to Team USA overnight at the Tokyo Olympics. However, Gasol isn't hanging up his sneakers when it comes to playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 36-year-old also made this known right after Spain's Olympic elimination:
After losing to Team USA Marc Gasol confirmed he will comeback for a 13th season and finish out his contract with the Lakers.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) August 3, 2021
*Watch The Tokyo 2020 Olympics LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Gasol has a $2.69 million guaranteed contract for 2021-22, but there were some questions about retirement. The big man is going to give it a go for at least one more season with the Lakers, giving them a key depth piece as they try to bounce back after a first-round series loss to the Phoenix Suns in 2020-21.
The Spaniard averaged 5.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 19.1 minutes per game last season as part of a crowded Lakers center rotation. Gasol wasn't always in said rotation, but when he did play, he still provided stellar play thanks to his 41.0% mark from beyond the arc, solid passing and defensive presence. He's obviously nowhere near the player he once was and is close to being finished, but he's fine in a limited role.
The Lakers did just add another center by bringing Dwight Howard back to the fold. The future of Andre Drummond is still undecided. Anthony Davis will likely play more center with Russell Westbrook on the roster. Gasol probably won't play all that much in 2021-22, but he can still provide effective play in limited minutes.
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