Gasol expected to take major cut while Mavs also have other targets.
The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly set to pursue Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol once the free agency market opens for business on July 1, as reported by ESPN.
However, much will depend on the price-tag put on the Spaniard, with the four-time All-Star set to turn 34 next month he is expected to take a significant pay cut after making $19.3m last season.
While the Mavericks are also said to have interest in both Marcin Gortat and Tyson Chandler, Gasol represents the more realistic option and would potentially solve their issue of trying to upgrade at the center position.
Dallas are projected to have slightly more than $30m in salary-cap space when free agency opens, although a significant part of that will likely go on re-signing Dirk Nowitzki despite the franchise veteran being ready to take a large pay cut in order to help the front office strengthen the roster.
Nevertheless, Gasol may well be less of a priority if the Mavs get the impression that they have a genuine chance of landing Carmelo Anthony who is reportedly ready to become an unrestricted free agent after notifying the Knicks in writing of his decision on Sunday.
While the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets will provide competition for the 30-year-old, Luol Deng is also understood to be on Dallas’ radar but ultimately Gasol is likely to be their main target as he looks to put a difficult year or so with the Los Angeles Lakers behind him.
A move to Dallas would give the Spaniard the opportunity to form a formidable front-court partnership with Nowitzki while he would also play alongside countryman Jose Calderon which looks like an exciting link-up on paper.
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