For the second straight day, a former Toronto Raptors centre has agreed to a deal with a team in Los Angeles.
One day after Serge Ibaka agreed to join the Los Angeles Clippers, Marc Gasol has reportedly agreed on a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Gasol, 35, was originally a second-round pick by the Lakers in 2007, but was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for his brother Pau before ever playing for Los Angeles. His 13-year career with the Grizzlies and Raptors includes three all-star game appearances, two all-NBA teams and the 2012-13 Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Raptors acquired Gasol from the Grizzlies at the 2019 trade deadline for a package that included Jonas Valanciunas and Delon Wright. His playmaking and experience were instrumental in the team’s first run to a championship, but last season his numbers dipped as he dealt with a hamstring injury. In 44 games last season, he averaged a career-low 7.5 points and 6.3 rebounds.
After the Raptors were eliminated from the playoffs by the Boston Celtics, reports out of Spain suggested Gasol would consider returning to his home country to finish his career. While that is still possible, those plans will have to wait until after he takes another run at a title with the defending NBA champs.
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