Blazers news: Pau Gasol still recovering from foot surgery, won't play vs. Suns on Saturday

Portland Trail Blazers big man Pau Gasol is recovering from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot, so he won't play on Saturday against the Phoenix Suns.

It wouldn't be a surprise if we don't see Gasol in the preseason.

Pau Gasol (left foot) will not play in Saturday's preseason contest versus Phoenix at the Moda Center.

— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) October 11, 2019

Gasol signed with the Blazers in free agency. He split time last season with the San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks.

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Gasol appeared in just 30 games in 2018-19 and averaged 3.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 44.7 percent from the field, 46.2 percent from beyond the arc and 70.0 percent from the free-throw line.

Gasol has career averages of 17.0 points and 9.2 rebounds. At this stage of his career, Gasol can give you some solid minutes off the bench. The Blazers will use Gasol as a backup to Hassan Whiteside and Jusuf Nurkic, the latter of whom is scheduled to return from injury around the All-Star break.

The Blazers reached the Western Conference Finals last season. Gasol, who won two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, will provide excellent leadership in Portland's locker room and help stars Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum learn what it takes to win in the playoffs.

Whenever Gasol is ready to play, the Blazers will surely have him on a minutes restriction as he makes his way back from the foot surgery.

Blazers’ Pau Gasol still recovering from foot surgery, won’t play vs. Suns on Saturday