The Toronto Raptors have joined the bidding war for veteran Pau Gasol, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
With Al Horford agreeing to terms with the Boston Celtics on Saturday, Gasol, who turns 36 next week, has emerged as the best big man available on the open market. The Raptors are in need of depth at power forward with Patrick Patterson the only proven player at that position under contract.
The 16-year NBA veteran, who opted out of his contract with the Chicago Bulls on June 27, averaged 16.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.0 blocks in 72 games last season while shooting 46.9 per cent from the floor and converting 24 of 69 three-point attempts.
After agreeing to a five-year, $139 million deal with all-star DeMar DeRozan, the Raptors don’t have much space remaining under the NBA’s $94 million salary cap and could be priced out of Gasol’s services.
