2025 NBA Season

[Pamadar]

I think its the right decision for him to go back and play in his native country if no teams are going to pick him up. He has been in the NBA with his brothers for many years, maybe it's time for him to retire.

He will contribute a lot to Spain, not just by playing but he could be a mentor as well.

There's still no confirmation if he will play for the Spain basketball team. Reports just said that Marc Gasol wants to stay with his family.

Either way, there's no need for him to play but rather be part of the coaching staff or mentoring team instead. He will be a good addition to the staff team as he knows well his national team. Unless there's a call of duty, that's the time he needs to consider playing back.

Reading this, I remember how Luc Longley returned to his basketball career not as a player but part of the coaching staff of Australian National team.

off topic, but just like how old guys contribute with their favorite sport, Gasol can join the national as he's always part of their Olympic Team, he can develop more talents and build a good foundation for team Spain.

No need for him to play as he doesn't need to prove anything, just like with his older brother. Mark also won an NBA title, a good part
of Raptors missing pieces to win the 2018-19 title.

[Yogee]

Gasol probably felt disrespected while he was in Lakers that's why he insist on remaining in his home country. I thought it's a bit early for him to retire and he may still need the money from a few years contract since we're still in a pandemic. Good for him and his family if he's already financially stable.

[danherbias07]

This guy is one hell of a lucky guy.

Restricted free-agent forward Jarred Vanderbilt has agreed to stay with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a new three-year, $13.8 million contract, his agent, Kevin Bradbury of Rep1 Sports, told ESPN on Friday.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32184591/jarred-vanderbilt-agrees-3-year-138-million-contract-stay-timberwolves-agent-says
After 2 bad seasons with a lot of injuries he found his way back and played 64 games last season. Now, he is collecting the fruits of his hardwork with the Timberwolves and is given another good contract despite his background.
Continuing the article is another guy who re-signed with the T'Wolves.

Also on Friday, restricted free-agent guard Jordan McLaughlin agreed to a new three-year deal with the Timberwolves, sources told ESPN. McLaughlin is a two-way contract success story for the Wolves' development program.

I still don't see a good 2nd team for them although I think they have a strong first five. DLo, KAT, Edwards, Prince, and Beasley.

[dwyane36]

Compare to other players that still can play but no team shows desire signing them. That is more worst.

E.g. Lance Stephenson, Jeremy Lin, I. Thomas

Regarding Thomas, I thought he was so close to signing a contract with the Lakers, considering that he trained with James and Westbrook. However, LAL decided to sign a contract with Rondo. Anyway, as far as I know, Stephenson and Thomas also trained in the Mavericks 1 week ago. So I hope that these players still have a chance to return to the NBA.

[agustina2]

Gasol probably felt disrespected while he was in Lakers that's why he insist on remaining in his home country.

There's no issue like that. Gasol is known to be vocal so I guess that's not an issue.

We don't know the real story but as a player, you know your limits and capacity. Like you said there's a pandemic so maybe Gasol misses his family so much and not just about the money. Not the end of basketball for him. Just need some space and a break.

Regarding Thomas, I thought he was so close to signing a contract with the Lakers, considering that he trained with James and Westbrook. However, LAL decided to sign a contract with Rondo. Anyway, as far as I know, Stephenson and Thomas also trained in the Mavericks 1 week ago. So I hope that these players still have a chance to return to the NBA.

That was just hype I guess. IT won't be signed by the Lakers and that 90% chance to happen.

I hope other teams will give chance for IT but we can exclude the Lakers now on the rumor.

[Sanitough]

Compare to other players that still can play but no team shows desire signing them. That is more worst.

E.g. Lance Stephenson, Jeremy Lin, I. Thomas

Regarding Thomas, I thought he was so close to signing a contract with the Lakers, considering that he trained with James and Westbrook. However, LAL decided to sign a contract with Rondo. Anyway, as far as I know, Stephenson and Thomas also trained in the Mavericks 1 week ago. So I hope that these players still have a chance to return to the NBA.

I remember the rumor about that, unfortunately, Thomas still has no contract until now because of the injury he had and any team might be afraid of risking their money to him as he might get reinjured again.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/the-curious-case-isaiah-thomas-looking-nba

Isaiah Thomas was then traded to the LA Lakers but played just 17 games and was later ruled out of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to his right hip.

That hip problem really made his career go down, and if he will ever get signed, he will only be signed with a short contract with a very small amount.

[dezoel]

I do not even think that Gasol should play in Spain if you ask me. Dude managed to win the league before, and he made insane amount of money, is it really required to keep going? And after being in USA for so long, what is even the point of going back to Spain, dude could retire in USA and live a great life. USA may not be the best nation in the world when it comes to many important things, but if you are a wealthy person then suddenly it becomes one of the best nations in the world.

Even if he goes back to Spain, he could retire there and he would have enough money to never work again and live a very very luxurious life as well. That situation with Pau Gasol going back and playing never made sense to me, what was the "need" to keep playing, and will Marc have the same thing? In any case Marc doesn't look like a player who could provide anything anymore and instead of being a bad player, he should retire.

[btc_angela]

Gasol probably felt disrespected while he was in Lakers that's why he insist on remaining in his home country. I thought it's a bit early for him to retire and he may still need the money from a few years contract since we're still in a pandemic. Good for him and his family if he's already financially stable.

I don't think he felt disrespected or something while he is in the Lakers uniform. Perhaps he really wanted to be close with his family in Spain specially in the condition that we have right now, the pandemic. The Gasol brothers have proven themselves already, Pau winning with Kobe Bryant and then Marc with Toronto + numerous accolades in the Olympics. The Gasol's are European and not like the US players who don't know how to manage their NBA money as we have seen to many ex-NBA players becoming poor or has no money after. I believed he are financially stable and could live a good life in his country.

[stadus]

Gasol probably felt disrespected while he was in Lakers that's why he insist on remaining in his home country. I thought it's a bit early for him to retire and he may still need the money from a few years contract since we're still in a pandemic. Good for him and his family if he's already financially stable.

I don't think he felt disrespected or something while he is in the Lakers uniform. Perhaps he really wanted to be close with his family in Spain specially in the condition that we have right now, the pandemic. The Gasol brothers have proven themselves already, Pau winning with Kobe Bryant and then Marc with Toronto + numerous accolades in the Olympics. The Gasol's are European and not like the US players who don't know how to manage their NBA money as we have seen to many ex-NBA players becoming poor or has no money after. I believed he are financially stable and could live a good life in his country.

I think so too, their parents are surely so proud of the accomplishment of Paul and Mark in the NBA, and I think with the news that he will stay with Spain, we might not be able to see Mark again playing in the NBA as he is done with his journey here and he is also close to retirement, well, actually consider this as a retirement already as he stays in Spain, probably for good.

[Pamadar]

I think so too, their parents are surely so proud of the accomplishment of Paul and Mark in the NBA,

Indeed, they brought Europeans proud of how they achieved, in which most players around the world's desire to have during

their stay from this league, the parents, together with all friends and relatives, are proud of what they both achieved.

and I think with the news that he will stay with Spain, we might not be able to see Mark again playing in the NBA as he is done with his journey here and he is also close to retirement,

He can choose to do that. Maybe the pandemic also influenced his decision to stay close to his family.

well, actually consider this as a retirement already as he stays in Spain, probably for good.

Most probably, unless there's still pressure for him to go back, which maybe has a lesser chance to happen.

[Reid]

I don't know maybe another guard in case either Westbrook or Rondo will get injured.

They had been chasing veterans and I am worried this may become their weakness.
I like how they just ended up trading Marc Gasol and then bought out by the Grizzlies but the Lakers also need young cores to make up for speed.
Yes, they have Westbrook and Rondo but it is WB alone who could still play 40+ minutes while I doubt Rondo's capability to play longer.
They need guards who focus on defense if they think their offensive power is enough.

[Dave1]

I don't know maybe another guard in case either Westbrook or Rondo will get injured.

They had been chasing veterans and I am worried this may become their weakness.
I like how they just ended up trading Marc Gasol and then bought out by the Grizzlies but the Lakers also need young cores to make up for speed.
Yes, they have Westbrook and Rondo but it is WB alone who could still play 40+ minutes while I doubt Rondo's capability to play longer.
They need guards who focus on defense if they think their offensive power is enough.

I believed that Rondo can still play 30++ plus minutes. He wasn't given the time with the Clippers, but chances that he is back in the Lakers again, it will be like what he did when they won the ring 2 years ago.

They still have THT and McClung or Kendrick Nunn to play point as some time. I' banking of McClung to be the next Alex Caruso.

[Russlenat]

I don't know maybe another guard in case either Westbrook or Rondo will get injured.

They had been chasing veterans and I am worried this may become their weakness.
I like how they just ended up trading Marc Gasol and then bought out by the Grizzlies but the Lakers also need young cores to make up for speed.
Yes, they have Westbrook and Rondo but it is WB alone who could still play 40+ minutes while I doubt Rondo's capability to play longer.
They need guards who focus on defense if they think their offensive power is enough.

I believed that Rondo can still play 30++ plus minutes. He wasn't given the time with the Clippers, but chances that he is back in the Lakers again, it will be like what he did when they won the ring 2 years ago.

They still have THT and McClung or Kendrick Nunn to play point as some time. I' banking of McClung to be the next Alex Caruso.

Rondo would be willing to play that minutes if he will be given a chance, however, he is not a starter so it's hard to expect he will earn that minutes unless someone in the starting lineup with the same position he has will be injured, but we don't hope it will happen though, at least Rondo is ready to step up anytime.

[boyptc]

Rondo would be willing to play that minutes if he will be given a chance, however, he is not a starter so it's hard to expect he will earn that minutes unless someone in the starting lineup with the same position he has will be injured, but we don't hope it will happen though, at least Rondo is ready to step up anytime.

This is probably why Rondo is with them again.

He's too flexible and can get in at any situation if he's needed to be in. But I guess he's not there just to get with those situations that crucial, likewise, he's there to play well anytime.

[laurenB7742]

Rondo would be willing to play that minutes if he will be given a chance, however, he is not a starter so it's hard to expect he will earn that minutes unless someone in the starting lineup with the same position he has will be injured, but we don't hope it will happen though, at least Rondo is ready to step up anytime.

This is probably why Rondo is with them again.
He's too flexible and can get in at any situation if he's needed to be in. But I guess he's not there just to get with those situations that crucial, likewise, he's there to play well anytime.

Lakers are now stacked with quality starting players. So Rondo will eventually have to play on the bench and yes he will get his minutes by rotation. I don't think he will start any match other than if any starting player gets injured in his position. Other than that, he should be playing as a sub in.

[gagux123]

Any news about Gasol? Will he really leave the Lakers? Any rumors?

I was analyzing DeAndre Jordan in the Lakers and I believe it was an excellent and strategic move.

I believe DeAndre Jordan was one of the best options to replace Drummond. Because both players are a center with dominance, especially Drummond who is an excellent "rebounder", but NBA standards, he's a little bit short to act as a center ("only" 6-10), but that's not a problem for him.

Another interesting observation, the Lakers got to take a good player away from their biggest rival (Nets).

[Jating]

Any news about Gasol? Will he really leave the Lakers? Any rumors?

He was traded to his old team Memphis, who will buy him out. And the latest is that he will be going back to his native country of Spain. Check few posts above, it has been discussed.

I was analyzing DeAndre Jordan in the Lakers and I believe it was an excellent and strategic move.

I believe DeAndre Jordan was one of the best options to replace Drummond. Because both players are a center with dominance, especially Drummond who is an excellent "rebounder", but NBA standards, he's a little bit short to act as a center ("only" 6-10), but that's not a problem for him.

Another interesting observation, the Lakers got to take a good player away from their biggest rival (Nets).

DeAndre will just be another back up center with the Lakers, they already have Anthony Davis and then newly acquired Dwight Howard. Nothing personal though about acquiring DeAndre from Nets, they drop him so Lakers pick him up. And I don't think there is rivalry between the two, not right now, we will need to see them play first and developed this so called rivalry.

[danherbias07]

DeAndre will just be another back up center with the Lakers, they already have Anthony Davis and then newly acquired Dwight Howard. Nothing personal though about acquiring DeAndre from Nets, they drop him so Lakers pick him up. And I don't think there is rivalry between the two, not right now, we will need to see them play first and developed this so called rivalry.

About that, I think they will be okay.

"Obviously as a big, when I was in high school, a guy that I watched all the time was Dwight Howard and obviously we never had a chance to be teammates before.

Once when he was young DJ also looked up to Dwight, it just changed once he stepped on the NBA floor. I think he is just being competitive about the physicality that's why they are heated up whenever they meet. Minutes given might be an issue but if they could give way to each other for the championship then everything will be smoother.

[mirakal]

DeAndre will just be another back up center with the Lakers, they already have Anthony Davis and then newly acquired Dwight Howard. Nothing personal though about acquiring DeAndre from Nets, they drop him so Lakers pick him up. And I don't think there is rivalry between the two, not right now, we will need to see them play first and developed this so called rivalry.

About that, I think they will be okay.

I'd really love to see them having no chemistry issue, they are both legit big man and they have a lot of playoff experience.
Howard already had a championship that he never had before when he play with Kobe, so it's time for DJ to join the part as the Lakers could probably make it this year again with their loaded lineup.

[Iranus]

Rondo would be willing to play that minutes if he will be given a chance, however, he is not a starter so it's hard to expect he will earn that minutes unless someone in the starting lineup with the same position he has will be injured, but we don't hope it will happen though, at least Rondo is ready to step up anytime.

This is probably why Rondo is with them again.
He's too flexible and can get in at any situation if he's needed to be in. But I guess he's not there just to get with those situations that crucial, likewise, he's there to play well anytime.

But if they are chasing veterans, that could help in short-term success. Because veterans will have the experience in the pitch. But alongside veterans, they should also focus on acquiring young talents keeping the future in mind. I don't think Rondo is capable enough to play more than 20 minutes. Because Lakers already have good enough starting 5 in their squad. Rondo might be getting like 15 to 20 minutes a game I'm guessing.