Pau Gasol has recently given his most straightforward indication yet about wanting to make an unexpected comeback to the Los Angeles Lakers next season.
According to Gasol, he has a strong desire to play again next term, and aside from his former team Barcelona, the 39-year-old is also looking at potentially finishing off his decorated career with LA:
“My intention is to play another season if the foot is OK, either in the NBA or in Europe,” Gasol was quoted as saying by Spanish media (h/t Tales Azoni of NBA.com). “A final season with the Lakers is attractive, finishing at Barça is attractive, but you have to see the real possibilities and see what situation would be best for the circumstances of the moment.”
Pau Gasol did say, however, that there are still a number of stumbling blocks that he will need to overcome before he is able to make his decision. His overall health and fitness are going to be atop that list.
“I’m feeling good. I’ve had more time to recover,” he added. “When I can start running and jumping I will have a lot more information to know for sure if the foot and the bone are consolidated for me to be playing professional basketball again.”
Nothing is certain at this point, but it would be a great narrative if Gasol is able to return next season to have a “Last Dance” of sorts with the Lakers.
The last we saw Gasol take the floor in the NBA was during the 2018-19 season, wherein he played 30 rather unproductive games between the San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks.