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==Professional career== ===Barcelona (1998β2001)=== Gasol began playing basketball as a center with his school team, Llor, and eventually signed with [[CB CornellΓ |CornellΓ ]].<ref name="GasolHome" /> When he was sixteen, he began playing for [[FC Barcelona BΓ squet|FC Barcelona]]'s junior team.<ref name="GasolHome" /> With [[Spain men's national under-18 basketball team|Spain's national under-18 team]], he won both the 1998 [[Albert Schweitzer Tournament]] and the [[1998 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship]].<ref name="nbadraft">{{Cite web |title=NBA Draft 2001 β Pau Gasol |url=http://www.nba.com/draft2001/playerfiles/pau_gasol.html?nav=ArticleList |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612045547/https://www.nba.com/draft2001/playerfiles/pau_gasol.html?nav=ArticleList |archive-date=June 12, 2015 |access-date=May 18, 2008 |publisher=NBA}}</ref> Gasol made his debut on January 17, 1999, with the senior team of FC Barcelona<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2019 |title=Pau Gasol, strategic advisor and BarΓ§a ambassador in the United States |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/1106167/pau-gasol-strategic-advisor-and-barca-ambassador-in-the-united-states |access-date=August 5, 2020 |website=[[FC Barcelona BΓ squet|FC Barcelona]] |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805143852/https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/1106167/pau-gasol-strategic-advisor-and-barca-ambassador-in-the-united-states |url-status=live }}</ref> and played just 25 total minutes in the Spanish [[Liga ACB|ACB League]]'s [[1998β99 ACB season|1998β99 season]], and averaged 13.7 minutes per game in the ACB the next year.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web |title=acb.com Historial estadΓstico Gasol, Pau |url=http://www.acb.com/stsacumjug.php?cod_jugador=A2C |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623092911/http://www.acb.com/stsacumjug.php?cod_jugador=A2C |archive-date=June 23, 2012 |access-date=April 12, 2011 |language=es}}</ref> However, in his final season in the ACB, Gasol averaged 12.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in 24.7 minutes per game.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> FC Barcelona was victorious in the [[Spanish Basketball King's Cup|Spanish National Cup]]'s [[2001 Copa del Rey de Baloncesto|2001 Final's]] championship game, and Gasol was named the [[Most Valuable Player]] of the tournament.<ref name="nbadraft" /> After entering the NBA draft, Gasol was selected third overall in the first round of the [[2001 NBA draft]] by the [[2001β02 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta Hawks]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=2001 NBA Draft Board |url=http://www.nba.com/draft2001/draft_board.html?nav=TextNavBar |access-date=May 19, 2008 |publisher=NBA |archive-date=February 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205155018/http://www.nba.com/draft2001/draft_board.html?nav=TextNavBar |url-status=live }}</ref> who traded his draft rights to the [[2001β02 Memphis Grizzlies season|Vancouver Grizzlies]] in exchange for [[Shareef Abdur-Rahim]] and the Grizzlies' 27th pick in the draft [[Jamaal Tinsley]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newberry |first=Paul |title=Abdur-Rahim Heading Home |url=http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/vancouvertrade_010627.html?nav=ArticleList |access-date=May 17, 2008 |publisher=NBA |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114111504/http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/vancouvertrade_010627.html?nav=ArticleList |url-status=live }}</ref> ===Memphis Grizzlies (2001β2008)=== ==== 2001β2005: Rookie of the Year and first playoff appearances ==== [[File:Lakers Grizzlies 200304.jpg|thumb|Gasol winning a [[jump ball]] while playing against the Lakers in the 2003β04 NBA season.]] In his first season with the Grizzlies, Gasol became the first foreign player to win the [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pau Gasol β 2001β2002 Rookie of the Year |url=http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/gasol_roy_02.html |access-date=May 19, 2008 |publisher=NBA |archive-date=October 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030121728/http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/gasol_roy_02.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and was named to the [[NBA All-Rookie First Team]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=All-Rookie Teams |url=http://www.nba.com/history/awards_allrookieteams.html |access-date=May 19, 2008 |publisher=NBA |archive-date=July 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725172621/http://www.nba.com/history/awards_allrookieteams.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He averaged 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, and was also the only team member to play in all 82 games that season.<ref name="careerstats">{{Cite web |title=Pau Gasol Career Stats Page |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/pau_gasol/career_stats.html |access-date=May 18, 2008 |publisher=NBA |archive-date=April 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406173816/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/pau_gasol/career_stats.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Gasol led the team in scoring (19.0 points per game) in his second year with the Grizzlies, and for the second year in a row, played in all 82 games.<ref name=careerstats/> Gasol missed the first game of his career, during his third year, with a foot injury on April 5, 2004, which snapped his string of 240 consecutive games played.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Grizzlies Sign Pau Gasol to a Multi-Year Contract Extension |publisher=NBA |url=http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/release-gasol_multi-year_contract.html |access-date=May 18, 2008 |archive-date=June 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625023116/http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/release-gasol_multi-year_contract.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He grabbed the 1,500th rebound of his career on November 12, 2003, against the [[2003β04 Orlando Magic season|Orlando Magic]] and scored his 3,000th career point on October 31, 2003, against the [[2003β04 Boston Celtics season|Boston Celtics]].<ref name="nbabio">{{Cite web |title=Pau Gasol Info Page |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/pau_gasol/index.html |access-date=May 17, 2008 |publisher=NBA |archive-date=April 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404211040/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/pau_gasol/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite having 22 points in Game 4 against the [[2003β04 San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio Spurs]], the highest by a Memphis players in the [[2004 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]], his team was eliminated in the first round, not winning a single game against San Antonio. This was both the Grizzlies and Gasol's first trip to the NBA Playoffs.<ref name="NBA04">{{Cite web |title=NBA Playoffs 2004 |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/playoffs2004/ |access-date=May 17, 2008 |archive-date=July 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716170014/http://www.nba.com/playoffs2004/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He scored 31 points and blocked four shots on January 11, 2005, against the [[Indiana Pacers]] to earn 5,000 points and 500 blocks in his career, becoming the 10th fastest player to reach 5,000 points/500 blocks since 1973β74.<ref name="nbabio" /> He also helped his team make it to the [[2005 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]] for the second time in his career, but they were eliminated in the first round and did not win a single game against the [[2004β05 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]].<ref name="NBA05">{{Cite web |title=NBA Playoffs 2005 |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/playoffs2005/ |access-date=May 17, 2008 |archive-date=September 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925014107/http://www.nba.com/playoffs2005/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ==== 2005β2008: First All-Star appearance and franchise records ==== [[File:Pau gasol zz.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Gasol playing for the [[Memphis Grizzlies]]]] In his fifth year with the Grizzlies, he became the franchise's all-time leading rebounder on March 24 against the [[2005β06 New York Knicks season|New York Knicks]] when he grabbed his 3,072nd rebound in a Grizzlies uniform.<ref name="nbabio" /> He made 29 consecutive free throw attempts from January 24 to 28, tying the second best mark in Grizzlies history, including two straight games going 12β12 from the line, tying the best single-game mark in franchise history.<ref name="nbabio" /> Gasol and the Grizzlies returned to the [[2006 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]] for the third time in his and his team's history. Once again, they were eliminated in the first round and did not win a single game against the [[2005β06 Dallas Mavericks season|Dallas Mavericks]].<ref name="NBA06">{{Cite web |title=NBA Playoffs 2006 |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/playoffs2006/ |access-date=May 17, 2008 |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819112619/http://www.nba.com/playoffs2006/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 9, 2006, making his first appearance, Gasol was selected to play in the [[2005β06 NBA season|2006]] [[NBA All-Star Game]] in [[Houston, Texas]] as a reserve center for the [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]]. At the time, he was one of four players ranked among Western Conference forwards in the top ten in points, rebounds, assists and blocked shots.<ref name="allstar">{{Cite web |title=Pau Gasol Named Western Conference All-Star Reserve |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/gasol_all_star-060209.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521205112/http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/gasol_all_star-060209.html |archive-date=May 21, 2008 |access-date=May 17, 2008}}</ref> He was the first Spanish basketball player as well as the first Grizzlies player to ever make it to the All-Star Game.<ref name=allstar/> Gasol missed the first 23 games of the [[2006β07 NBA season]] due to a broken foot suffered near the end of [[Spain national basketball team|Spain]]'s semifinal win over [[Argentina national basketball team|Argentina]] in the [[2006 FIBA World Championship]].<ref name="nbabio" /> He would go on to be named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, which Spain won.<ref name="nbabio" /> He had a season-high 34 points (most by a Grizzly that season), and eight rebounds and tied a career-high and franchise record with eight blocks on January 29 against the [[2006β07 Sacramento Kings season|Sacramento Kings]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gasol accurately attacks from field; Grizz win only third of last 10 |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=270129029 |access-date=May 17, 2005 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106060144/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=270129029 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and surpassed [[Shareef Abdur-Rahim]] as the franchise's all-time leader in free throw attempts on January 31 against the [[2006β07 Dallas Mavericks season|Dallas Mavericks]].<ref name="nbabio" /> He became the all-time franchise leader in field goals made on February 6 against the [[2006β07 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]],<ref name="nbabio" /> and became the all-time franchise leader in minutes played on February 7 at Dallas.<ref name="nbabio" /> He surpassed Shareef Abdur-Rahim (7,801 points) as the Grizzlies' all-time leading scorer on March 7, 2007, against the [[2006β07 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto Raptors]] (7,809 points at the time).<ref name="nbabio" /> On January 24, 2007, Gasol recorded his second career [[triple-double]] against the hosting [[2006β07 Utah Jazz season|Utah Jazz]], garnering 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists. He also registered 2 blocks and one steal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grizzlies at Jazz Boxscore 2007-01-24 |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20070124/MEMUTA/boxscore.html |access-date=January 24, 2007 |archive-date=June 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628111210/http://www.nba.com/games/20070124/MEMUTA/boxscore.html |url-status=live }}</ref> === Los Angeles Lakers (2008β2014) === ==== 2008β2011: Back-to-back championships and All-NBA appearances ==== [[File:Pau Gasol boxout.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Gasol [[boxing out]] in 2008]] On February 1, 2008, Memphis traded Gasol to the [[2007β08 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]] along with a [[2010 NBA draft|2010]] second round draft pick for [[Kwame Brown]], [[Javaris Crittenton]], [[Aaron McKie]], the rights to [[Marc Gasol]] (Pau's younger brother), and [[2008 NBA draft|2008]] and [[2010 NBA draft|2010]] first round draft picks.<ref name="GasolTrade" /> There has been some controversy surrounding the trade. [[Chris Wallace (NBA general manager)|Chris Wallace]] denied in an [[ESPN]] article that he had been ordered by owner [[Michael Heisley]] to make the Grizzlies more attractive to a potential buyer. Wallace said, "No one put pressure on me to do this, and Michael Heisley has actually been reluctant to move Pau." He also said that they had been "trolling" the waters for a while and dealt with a number of teams. He selected the Lakers deal because "it didn't get any better than this."<ref name="GasolTrade">{{Cite web |date=January 17, 2008 |title=What were the Grizzlies Thinking? |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=3226776 |access-date=May 8, 2008 |archive-date=May 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527044958/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=3226776 |url-status=live }}</ref> When Gasol departed the Grizzlies, he held twelve franchise records, including games played, minutes played, field goals made, free throws made and attempted, offensive, defensive, and total rebounds, blocked shots, turnovers, and points. Per game statistics, he leads Memphis in defensive and total rebounds along with blocked shots.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Memphis Grizzlies Franchise Leaders |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MEM/leaders_career.html |access-date=May 17, 2008 |archive-date=August 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822083735/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MEM/leaders_career.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After being traded to the Lakers, Gasol lived in [[Redondo Beach, California|Redondo Beach]], across the street from the shoreline.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 29, 2010 |title=The Power Of Pau |work=CNN |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1167642/index.htm |access-date=March 26, 2010 |archive-date=March 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328042948/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1167642/index.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> On February 5, Gasol made his first Lakers appearance in a game against the [[2007β08 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey Nets]], during which he scored 24 points and had 12 rebounds in a 105β90 win over the Nets.<ref name="LakerTrade">{{Cite web |date=2008-02-01 |title=Needing inside help, Lakers get Gasol from Grizz |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3226203 |access-date=2021-07-16 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=May 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531011409/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3226203 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2008 |title=Lakers Acquire Gasol From Grizzlies |url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/080201gasol_trade.html |access-date=2021-07-16 |website=Los Angeles Lakers |language=en |archive-date=July 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716143644/https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/080201gasol_trade.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 14, Gasol sprained his ankle in a game against the [[2007β08 New Orleans Hornets season|New Orleans Hornets]], stepping on the foot of teammate [[Vladimir RadmanoviΔ]] in the first quarter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paul's double-double helps Hornets prevail |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280314003 |access-date=May 17, 2008 |archive-date=April 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404190349/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280314003 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Gasol was expected to miss the remaining three games of the Lakers' road trip after [[x-rays]] came up negative.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lakers' Gasol to sit out at least three games with injured ankle |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3294271 |access-date=May 17, 2005 |archive-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319011016/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3294271 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gasol returned to the starting lineup on April 2 against the [[2007β08 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland Trail Blazers]] and played nearly thirty-two minutes, registering 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists.<ref name="return">{{Cite web |title=Gasol contributes 10 points in Lakers' win over Portland |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280402013 |access-date=May 17, 2008 |archive-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511142040/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280402013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He admitted to feeling limited with the swelling in his ankle still present.<ref name=return/> Gasol helped the Lakers finish the regular season with the best record in the Western Conference (57β25), with him in the starting lineup the Lakers went 22β5. [[Kobe Bryant]] has also stated that playing with Gasol clicked from the start.<ref name="GasolHero">{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=David |date=May 7, 2008 |title=Gasol quickly fits in to help Lakers |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/2008-05-06-Gasol_N.htm?csp=34 |access-date=May 17, 2008 |archive-date=May 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510131109/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/2008-05-06-Gasol_N.htm?csp=34 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:Pau Gasol dunk.jpg|thumb|upright|Dunk by Gasol in Game 2 of the 2008 NBA Finals]] In the Lakers' opening game of the [[2008 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]], he contributed 36 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 blocked shots.<ref name="GasolHero" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lakers-Nuggets Box Score |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200804200LAL.html |publisher=basketballreference.com |access-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-date=July 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705163102/http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200804200LAL.html |url-status=live }}</ref> When the Lakers swept the [[2007β08 Denver Nuggets season|Denver Nuggets]] in the first round, it was Gasol's first trip to the second round in four tries. His previous team, the Grizzlies, failed to reach the playoffs for the second year in a row. He contributed 17 points and 13 rebounds in Game 6 against the [[2007β08 Utah Jazz season|Utah Jazz]] to help the Lakers advance to the conference finals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jazz-Lakers Box Score |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200805160UTA.html |publisher=basketballreference.com |access-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-date=July 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709080815/http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200805160UTA.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Jazzout">{{Cite web |title=Lakers Win Series 4β2 |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/080516_gameday_jazz.html |access-date=May 17, 2008 |archive-date=May 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080519094814/http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/080516_gameday_jazz.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 31, he recorded a career high 19 rebounds in a series-clinching win against the [[2007β08 San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio Spurs]], and he became the first [[Spanish people|Spaniard]] to reach the NBA Finals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lakers-Spurs Box Score |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200805290LAL.html |publisher=basketballreference.com |access-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-date=May 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517134617/http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200805290LAL.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Pau Gasol becomes first Spaniard to reach NBA final">{{Cite web |title=Pau Gasol becomes first Spaniard to reach an NBA final |url=http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/15015/pau-gasol-becomes-first-spaniard-to-reach-nba-final |access-date=May 30, 2008 |publisher=thinkspain.com |archive-date=June 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606224203/http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/15015/pau-gasol-becomes-first-spaniard-to-reach-nba-final |url-status=live }}</ref> Gasol scored 14.7 points per game on .532 shooting in the [[2008 NBA Finals|2008 Finals]] against the [[2007β08 Boston Celtics season|Boston Celtics]], which was below his scoring average of 18.9 during the regular season, However, he led the Lakers in rebounding with 10.2 per game throughout the championship series,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2008 NBA Finals Composite Box Score |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2008_finals.html |publisher=basketballreference.com |access-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-date=February 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220220251/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2008_finals.html |url-status=live }}</ref> up from his regular-season average of 8.4.<ref name="nbabio" /> Los Angeles lost in six games against Boston in the Finals, including a 131β92 loss in Game 6.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA Finals 2008 Homepage |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/finals2008/index.html |access-date=November 10, 2008 |archive-date=January 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118013435/http://www.nba.com/finals2008/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the Playoffs, Gasol was the second leading Laker in points (16.9), rebounds (9.3) and assists per game (4.0).<ref>{{Cite web |title=2007β08 Los Angeles Lakers Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/2008.html |publisher=basketballreference.com |access-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-date=November 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103053535/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/2008.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He was the leader in blocks per game (1.90) and was tied with Lamar Odom with the most postseason double-doubles (10). On January 2, 2009, in a win against the Utah Jazz, Gasol scored his 10,000th career point. Gasol earned his second All-Star appearance as a reserve for the [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]] squad during the [[2008β09 NBA season]], his first as a Laker. He was also named Western Conference Player of the Month after helping the Lakers to an 11β2 record for the month of February that included road wins over Boston and Cleveland. He finished the regular season with averages of 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1 block per game. Gasol then won his first NBA championship ring when the Lakers defeated the [[2008β09 Orlando Magic season|Orlando Magic]] in the [[2009 NBA Finals|2009 Finals]]. On December 24, 2009, Gasol signed a 3-year extension with the Lakers worth $64.7 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Broderick |date=December 24, 2009 |title=Lakers' Pau Gasol signs three-year extension |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-dec-24-la-sp-lakers-fyi24-2009dec24-story.html |access-date=May 22, 2010 |archive-date=March 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315193532/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/dec/24/sports/la-sp-lakers-fyi24-2009dec24 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gasol earned his third All-Star appearance as a reserve for the [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]] and finished the regular season with averages of 18.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.7 blocks. In Game 6 of the first round, Gasol grabbed 18 rebounds and his last-second putback eliminated the [[2009β10 Oklahoma City Thunder season|Oklahoma City Thunder]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2010 |title=Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder β Recap β April 30, 2010 |url=http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300430025 |access-date=September 19, 2011 |publisher=ESPN |archive-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113235509/http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300430025 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the conference semifinals against the [[2009β10 Utah Jazz season|Utah Jazz]], he averaged 23.5 points and 14.5 rebounds, and finally in the conference finals against the [[2009β10 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]], he averaged 19.7 points with 7.2 rebounds. In Game 7 of the [[2010 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]] against the [[2009β10 Boston Celtics season|Boston Celtics]], Gasol scored 19 points, (6β16 FGM-A, 7β13 FTM-A) grabbed 18 rebounds and recorded two blocks as the Lakers repeated as champions. He averaged 18.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game in the series, on a 47.8% field goal percentage. In 2010, he was chosen as the 15th-smartest athlete in sports by ''[[Sporting News]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 27, 2010 |title=SN names the 20 smartest athletes in sports |work=Sporting News |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/feed/2010-09/smart-athletes/story/sporting-news-names-the-20-smartest-athletes-in-sports |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523023358/http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/feed/2010-09/smart-athletes/story/sporting-news-names-the-20-smartest-athletes-in-sports |archive-date=May 23, 2013}}</ref> Challenged by Lakers' coach [[Phil Jackson]] to be more assertive while Bryant recovered from offseason knee surgery, Gasol started the season's first week averaging 25.3 points on 52.5 percent shooting, 10.3 rebounds, and five assists per game as the Lakers started 3β0. He was named [[2010β11 NBA season#Players of the week|Western Conference Player of the Week]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kamenetzky |first=Brian |date=November 1, 2010 |title=Pau Gasol tops Western Conference |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=5753535 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104042552/http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=5753535 |archive-date=November 4, 2010 |access-date=November 10, 2010 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> He earned his third straight [[2011 NBA All-Star Game|All-Star selection]] and his season averages of 19 points and 10 rebounds were nearly identical to what he had put up as a Laker the previous three seasons.<ref name="reportcard11">{{Cite web |last=Champlin |first=Brian |date=May 13, 2011 |title=Player Report Card: Pau Gasol |url=http://www.lakersnation.com/exit-evaluations-pau-gasol/2011/05/13/ |access-date=May 14, 2011 |publisher=lakersnation |archive-date=May 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516133542/http://www.lakersnation.com/exit-evaluations-pau-gasol/2011/05/13/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Pau's play also merited him [[All-NBA team|All-NBA second team]] honors for the first time in his career.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Medina |first=Mark |date=May 12, 2011 |title=Kobe Bryant named to All-NBA first team; Pau Gasol makes second team |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/05/kobe-bryant-named-to-all-nba-first-team-pau-gasol-makes-it-to-all-nba-second-team.html |access-date=May 14, 2011 |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514203634/http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/05/kobe-bryant-named-to-all-nba-first-team-pau-gasol-makes-it-to-all-nba-second-team.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the [[2011 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]], Gasol only averaged 13 points on 42% shooting over 10 games, and the Lakers were swept by the [[2010β11 Dallas Mavericks season|Dallas Mavericks]] in the second round. Gasol had the worst post season performance of his career.<ref name="reportcard11" /> Lakers Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst [[Magic Johnson]] cited Gasol as a possible trade option for the Lakers to acquire [[Orlando Magic|Magic]] center [[Dwight Howard]].<ref name="exitinter11">{{Cite news |last=Medina |first=Mark |date=May 12, 2011 |title=Pau Gasol has plenty of motivation in off-season |work=The New York Times |url=http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/05/pau-gasol-enters-this-offseason-with-plenty-of-motvation-1.html?cid=6a00d8341c506253ef014e8865f353970d |access-date=May 14, 2011 |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519032410/http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/05/pau-gasol-enters-this-offseason-with-plenty-of-motvation-1.html?cid=6a00d8341c506253ef014e8865f353970d |url-status=dead }}</ref> Gasol ignored the false reports about his relationship status with his girlfriend as the cause of his poor performance and has accepted the criticism of his play as valid.<ref name="exitinter11" /> ==== 2011β2014: Failed trade and final years with Lakers ==== During the [[2011β12 NBA season]], Gasol and teammate [[Lamar Odom]] were subjected to trade rumors involving former [[New Orleans Hornets]] guard [[Chris Paul]]. After the trade fell through, Gasol vowed that it would not affect the way he played. Odom, on the other hand, was angry at the Lakers and was traded to the 2010β11 NBA champion [[Dallas Mavericks]] for a future first round pick. After Lakers co-[[captain (sports)|captain]] [[Derek Fisher]] was traded in March 2012, Gasol joined Bryant as co-captains of the team.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Deveney |first=Sean |date=March 20, 2012 |title=Pau Gasol says he's ready to take co-captain mantle from departed Derek Fisher |work=SportingNews.com |url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2012-03-20/lakers-news-pau-gasol-derek-fisher-kobe-bryant-co-captain-mike-brown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706055421/http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2012-03-20/lakers-news-pau-gasol-derek-fisher-kobe-bryant-co-captain-mike-brown |archive-date=July 6, 2012}}</ref> He won the 2011β12 seasonlong [[NBA Community Assist Award]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pau Gasol Awarded NBA's Season Long Community Assist Award |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/120604_pau-community-assist |access-date=March 3, 2014 |website=Los Angeles Lakers |archive-date=June 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606060127/http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/120604_pau-community-assist |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:Lakers vs Nuggets 2013-01-06 (22).JPG|thumb|left|Gasol in 2013 came off the bench after starting 345 games for the Lakers.]] After a 1β4 start to the [[2012β13 Los Angeles Lakers season|2012β13 season]], the Lakers replaced head coach [[Mike Brown (basketball, born 1970)|Mike Brown]] with [[Mike D'Antoni]]. Gasol was struggling after seven games under D'Antoni, averaging 10.1 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 38.8 percent, and he was benched in the fourth quarter in multiple games.<ref name="golliver">{{Cite news |last=Golliver |first=Ben |date=December 4, 2012 |title=Lakers reportedly tell Gasol to adjust to D'Antoni's system or face trade |work=SI.com |url=http://nba.si.com/2012/12/04/pau-gasol-trade-talks-los-angeles-lakers-mitch-kupchak/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205230834/http://nba.si.com/2012/12/04/pau-gasol-trade-talks-los-angeles-lakers-mitch-kupchak/ |archive-date=December 5, 2012}}</ref><ref name=mcmenamin_12042012/> The team had difficulties getting Gasol involved in D'Antoni's offense, which historically had not had post players playing forward.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shelburne |first=Ramona |date=November 24, 2012 |title=Mike D'Antoni looks at offense |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8672356/mike-dantoni-los-angeles-lakers-coach-hopes-get-pau-gasol-dwight-howard-involved |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121125054454/http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8672356/mike-dantoni-los-angeles-lakers-coach-hopes-get-pau-gasol-dwight-howard-involved |archive-date=November 25, 2012}}</ref> Gasol ranked only 27th in the league in [[post up|post-up]] points with 2.7 per game, down from prior seasons when he was fifth in 2010β11 and ninth in 2011β12.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shelburne |first=Ramona |date=December 10, 2012 |title=Lakers, Gasol still searching for fit |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8732931/the-los-angeles-lakers-pau-gasol-looking-right-fit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211174826/http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8732931/the-los-angeles-lakers-pau-gasol-looking-right-fit |archive-date=December 11, 2012}}</ref> On November 18, 2012, in a win against the Houston Rockets, Gasol scored his 15,000th career point. Bothered by [[tendinitis]] in both knees since training camp, Gasol sat out eight games in December before returning to the starting lineup.<ref name="mcmenamin_12042012">{{Cite news |last=McMenamin |first=Dave |date=December 4, 2012 |title=Lakers F Pau Gasol out Tuesday |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8709159/pau-gasol-los-angeles-lakers-tuesday-houston-rockets-tendinitis-knees |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204222654/http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8709159/pau-gasol-los-angeles-lakers-tuesday-houston-rockets-tendinitis-knees |archive-date=December 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bolch |first=Ben |date=December 18, 2012 |title=Lakers hang on to edge Bobcats, 101β100 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-bobcats-20121219,0,3084796.story |access-date=December 19, 2012 |archive-date=December 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219121405/http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-bobcats-20121219,0,3084796.story |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shelburne |first=Ramona |date=December 18, 2012 |title=Pau Gasol to start vs. Bobcats |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8759524/pau-gasol-los-angeles-lakers-forward-start-charlotte-bobcats |access-date=December 19, 2012 |archive-date=December 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218225843/http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8759524/pau-gasol-los-angeles-lakers-forward-start-charlotte-bobcats |url-status=live }}</ref> Later, he was diagnosed with [[plantar fasciitis]], but continued playing.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pincus |first=Eric |date=December 27, 2012 |title=Pau Gasol diagnosed with plantar fasciitis |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-xpm-2012-dec-27-la-sp-ln-pau-gasol-diagnosed-plantar-fasciitis-20121227-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514213433/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/dec/27/sports/la-sp-ln-pau-gasol-diagnosed-plantar-fasciitis-20121227 |archive-date=May 14, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Elliot |first=Helene |date=December 28, 2012 |title=Pau Gasol shows his versatility in Laker win over Portland |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2012-dec-28-la-sp-elliott-lakers-20121229-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130233658/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/dec/28/sports/la-sp-elliott-lakers-20121229 |archive-date=January 30, 2013}}</ref> General manager [[Mitch Kupchak]] told Lakers season-ticket holders the team needed Gasol to be more involved.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pincus |first=Eric |date=January 6, 2013 |title=GM Mitch Kupchak tells fans he's disappointed in team |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20130107,0,4833654.story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107182545/http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20130107,0,4833654.story |archive-date=January 7, 2013}}</ref> On January 7, 2013, Gasol received a blow to the face from Denver's [[JaVale McGee]] in the fourth quarter of a 112β105 loss. He suffered a concussion, forcing him to miss the next five games.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McMenamin |first=Dave |date=January 7, 2013 |title=Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol out |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8821787/injured-los-angeles-lakers-dwight-howard-pau-gasol-indefinitely |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107235054/http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8821787/injured-los-angeles-lakers-dwight-howard-pau-gasol-indefinitely |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="mcmenamin_01182013">{{Cite news |last=McMenamin |first=Dave |date=January 18, 2013 |title=Pau Gasol may come off bench |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8858553/mike-dantoni-los-angeles-lakers-considers-bringing-pau-gasol-bench |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119070235/http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8858553/mike-dantoni-los-angeles-lakers-considers-bringing-pau-gasol-bench |archive-date=January 19, 2013}}</ref> In his first game back, he came off the bench after having started his first 345 games with the Lakers.<ref name=mcmenamin_01182013/> In the next game, he returned to the starting lineup and scored 25 points against Toronto, only his second 20-point game of the season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McMenamin |first=Dave |date=January 21, 2013 |title=Gasol gets his touches, and Kobe's happy |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/35519/gasol-gets-his-touches-and-kobes-happy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122223038/http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/35519/gasol-gets-his-touches-and-kobes-happy |archive-date=January 22, 2013}}</ref> However, in the next game on January 21, D'Antoni moved Gasol to a reserve role and started [[Earl Clark]], a change the coach considered permanent.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McMenamin |first=Dave |date=January 22, 2013 |title=Pau Gasol to be reserve for Lakers |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8867466/pau-gasol-los-angeles-lakers-come-bench |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122171117/http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8867466/pau-gasol-los-angeles-lakers-come-bench |archive-date=January 22, 2013}}</ref> On February 5 against the [[Brooklyn Nets]], Gasol tore the [[plantar fascia]] of his right foot. Gasol had tweaked the fascia in the first half, but played through the soreness until he felt it pop when he tried to block a shot by [[Brook Lopez]] towards the end of the game.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 6, 2013 |title=Pau Gasol has tear in plantar fascia |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8923175/pau-gasol-los-angeles-lakers-tear-plantar-fascia-right-foot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206234624/http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8923175/pau-gasol-los-angeles-lakers-tear-plantar-fascia-right-foot |archive-date=February 6, 2013}}</ref> He returned over six weeks later on March 22 after missing 20 games, with D'Antoni returning him to the starting lineup over Clark.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pincus |first=Eric |date=March 23, 2013 |title=Trevor Ariza bests his former teammate Kobe Bryant |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-ariza-bests-former-teammate-kobe-20130323,0,1184038.story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328095557/http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-ariza-bests-former-teammate-kobe-20130323,0,1184038.story |archive-date=March 28, 2013}}</ref><ref name="trudell_04102013">{{Cite news |last=Trudell |first=Mike |date=April 10, 2013 |title=Gasol Returning To Form |work=Lakers.com |url=http://blog.lakers.com/lakers/2013/04/10/gasol-returning-to-form/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413125039/http://blog.lakers.com/lakers/2013/04/10/gasol-returning-to-form/ |archive-date=April 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pincus |first=Eric |date=March 20, 2013 |title=Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol 'hopefully' to play Friday |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2013-mar-20-la-sp-lakers-fyi-20130321-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401060859/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/mar/20/sports/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20130321 |archive-date=April 1, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pincus |first=Eric |date=March 26, 2013 |title=Reintegrating Pau Gasol has made the Lakers vulnerable |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-pau-gasol-lakers-20130326,0,2116793.story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331041321/http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-pau-gasol-lakers-20130326,0,2116793.story |archive-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref> After a two-game adjustment period, Gasol's play was solid, and Bryant insisted that Gasol receive the ball in the post.<ref name=trudell_04102013/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rohlin |first=Melissa |date=April 10, 2013 |title=Kobe Bryant makes Lakers give it to Pau Gasol |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2013-apr-10-la-sp-0411-lakers-web-20130411-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412172126/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/10/sports/la-sp-0411-lakers-web-20130411 |archive-date=April 12, 2013}}</ref> D'Antoni stated that Gasol had played well since January, and attributed the forward's earlier struggles to injuries and the team's evolving offensive system. "I have a lot more confidence in him now, and he's playing great", D'Antoni said.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nowell |first=Danny |date=April 11, 2013 |title=Lakers Majoring In Drama For This Playoff Push |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/dailydime |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329020122/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime |archive-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref> He finished the season with career lows in points (13.7) and field-goal percentage (.466), and his rebounds (8.6) were his lowest since his first season with Los Angeles. He was limited to a career-low 49 games.<ref name=bolch_04282013/> However, he had three triple-doubles in his last seven games including the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McMenamin |first=Dave |date=January 4, 2014 |title=D'Antoni leans on Pau Gasol |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/38428/dantoni-leans-on-pau-gasol |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105043839/http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/38428/dantoni-leans-on-pau-gasol |archive-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref> Gasol was owed $19.3 million in [[2013β14 Los Angeles Lakers season|2013β14]] in the final year of his contract, which cost the Lakers around $50 million including [[Luxury tax (sports)|luxury taxes]].<ref name="bolch_04282013">{{Cite news |last=Bolch |first=Ben |date=April 28, 2013 |title=Lakers' Pau Gasol is steady as he goes ... away? |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2013-apr-28-la-sp-bolch-lakers-20130429-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503223552/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/28/sports/la-sp-bolch-lakers-20130429 |archive-date=May 3, 2013}}</ref> He became a free agent after the season. ===Chicago Bulls (2014β2016)=== [[File:Paul Gasol high five with Stryde at the end of the Chicago Bulls game (cropped).jpg|right|thumb|Gasol with the Bulls in 2015]] On July 18, 2014, Gasol signed with the [[Chicago Bulls]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 18, 2014 |title=Bulls sign forward/center Pau Gasol |url=http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/bulls-sign-forward/center-pau-gasol |access-date=July 18, 2014 |website=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720223636/http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/bulls-sign-forward/center-pau-gasol |url-status=live }}</ref> He said after he was introduced: "It was a gut feeling. I thought Chicago was going to be the best fit for me. It's a great challenge, but I'm driven by challenge. I look forward to it."<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 18, 2014 |title=Bulls sign Spaniards Gasol, Mirotic |url=http://www.nba.com/2014/news/07/18/bulls-introduce-gasol-and-mirotic.ap/index.html |access-date=July 19, 2014 |website=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720061014/http://www.nba.com/2014/news/07/18/bulls-introduce-gasol-and-mirotic.ap/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 1, 2015, Gasol recorded a career-high 9 blocks, along with 17 points and 9 rebounds, in the 106β101 win over the [[2014β15 Denver Nuggets season|Denver Nuggets]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2015 |title=Rose leads Bulls over Nuggets 106β101 |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20150101/DENCHI/gameinfo.html |access-date=January 2, 2015 |website=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. |archive-date=December 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231215149/http://www.nba.com/games/20150101/DENCHI/gameinfo.html? |url-status=live }}</ref> Ten days later, he scored a career-high 46 points on 17-of-30 shooting in a 95β87 win over the [[2014β15 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee Bucks]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2015 |title=Gasol powers Bulls past Bucks, 95β87 |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20150110/MILCHI/gameinfo.html |access-date=January 11, 2015 |website=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. |archive-date=May 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506050109/http://www.nba.com/games/20150110/MILCHI/gameinfo.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On April 9, 2015, he recorded a league-best 51st double-double of the season with 16 points and 15 rebounds in an 89β78 win over the [[2014β15 Miami Heat season|Miami Heat]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gasol Gets League Best 51st Double-Double of Season | date=April 9, 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnqH2Lqz74w |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/FnqH2Lqz74w |archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live |via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He recorded his 54th double-double of the season in the regular season finale on April 15 against the [[2014β15 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta Hawks]] to finish as the league-leader in double-doubles in 2014β15.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brooks leads rally, Bulls beat Hawks 91β85 |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20150415/ATLCHI/gameinfo.html |access-date=April 16, 2015 |archive-date=December 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224201410/http://www.nba.com/games/20150415/ATLCHI/gameinfo.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 5, 2015, Gasol became the 116th player to reach 1,000 regular-season games. He had 13 points and 11 rebounds against the [[2015β16 Charlotte Hornets season|Charlotte Hornets]] for his ninth double-double of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Batum scores 24 as Hornets beat Bulls 102β96 |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20151205/CHACHI/gameinfo.html |access-date=December 6, 2015 |archive-date=December 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205051517/http://www.nba.com/games/20151205/CHACHI/gameinfo.html? |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 25, 2016, he recorded his first career first quarter double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pau Gasol recorded a double-double in the first quarter |url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/1278162/pau-gasol-recorded-double-double-first-quarter |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201145734/http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/1278162/pau-gasol-recorded-double-double-first-quarter |archive-date=February 1, 2016}}</ref> He finished the game with 19 points and 17 rebounds, as the Bulls were defeated by the [[2015β16 Miami Heat season|Miami Heat]] 89β84.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wade, Bosh spark Heat to 89β84 comeback win over Bulls |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160125/MIACHI/gameinfo.html |access-date=January 26, 2016 |archive-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210111226/https://www.nba.com/games |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 9, Gasol was named as his Chicago Bulls teammate [[Jimmy Butler]]'s replacement on the 2016 Eastern Conference All-Star squad.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pau Gasol replaces Jimmy Butler in All-Star Game |url=https://www.nba.com/bulls/news/pau-gasol-replaces-jimmy-butler-all-star-game-0 |website=Chicago Bulls |access-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229061758/https://www.nba.com/bulls/news/pau-gasol-replaces-jimmy-butler-all-star-game-0 |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 27, he recorded his eighth career triple-double and first as a Bull with 22 points, 16 rebounds and a career-high 14 assists in a 103β95 loss to the [[2015β16 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bulls fall to Portland 103-95 |url=https://www.nba.com/bulls/gameday/bulls-fall-portland-103-95 |website=Chicago Bulls |access-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229061800/https://www.nba.com/bulls/gameday/bulls-fall-portland-103-95 |url-status=live }}</ref> At 35 years old, he became the oldest player to record a triple-double since [[Kobe Bryant]] did so at 36 years old in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lillard scores 31 points as Trail Blazers beat Bulls 103β95 |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160227/PORCHI/gameinfo.html |access-date=February 28, 2016 |archive-date=February 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228091814/http://www.nba.com/games/20160227/PORCHI/gameinfo.html? |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 7, he recorded his second triple-double of the season with 12 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists in a 100β90 win over the [[2015β16 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee Bucks]], becoming just the fourth player 35 years or older with multiple triple-doubles in a season, joining [[Jason Kidd]], Kobe Bryant and [[Paul Pierce]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Butler sits with knee soreness while Bulls beat Bucks 100β90 |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160307/MILCHI/gameinfo.html |access-date=March 8, 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308054234/http://www.nba.com/games/20160307/MILCHI/gameinfo.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On April 2, in a loss to the Detroit Pistons, he became the 38th NBA player to reach 10,000 career rebounds. He also became the 36th with 10,000 points and 10,000 rebounds.<ref name="pistons-loss">{{Cite web |title=Jackson, Harris lift Pistons over Bulls 94β90 |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160402/DETCHI/gameinfo.html |access-date=April 3, 2016 |archive-date=April 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404060638/http://www.nba.com/games/20160402/DETCHI/gameinfo.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ===San Antonio Spurs (2016β2019)=== On July 14, 2016, Gasol signed with the [[San Antonio Spurs]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2016 |title=SPURS SIGN PAU GASOL |url=http://www.nba.com/spurs/spurs-sign-pau-gasol |access-date=July 14, 2016 |website=NBA.com |archive-date=July 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716023949/http://www.nba.com/spurs/spurs-sign-pau-gasol |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 11, 2016, he had season highs with 21 points and six assists in a 96β86 win over the [[Detroit Pistons]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2016 |title=Gasol's season-high 21 points help Spurs end home skid |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400899577 |access-date=November 11, 2016 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=November 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112204151/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400899577 |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 19, 2017, he was ruled out indefinitely after breaking his left ring finger during pregame warmups earlier that night.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2017 |title=Spurs center Pau Gasol breaks finger during pregame warmups |url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/01/19/spurs-center-pau-gasol-breaks-finger-during-pregame-warmups |access-date=January 21, 2017 |website=NBA.com |archive-date=January 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121024149/http://www.nba.com/article/2017/01/19/spurs-center-pau-gasol-breaks-finger-during-pregame-warmups |url-status=live }}</ref> He underwent surgery the following day to repair a fracture of his left fourth metacarpal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 20, 2017 |title=PAU GASOL INJURY UPDATE |url=http://www.nba.com/spurs/pau-gasol-injury-update |access-date=January 21, 2017 |website=NBA.com |archive-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123153806/http://www.nba.com/spurs/pau-gasol-injury-update |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 24, 2017, in a 105β97 win over the [[Los Angeles Clippers]], Gasol had 17 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in his return from a 15-game absence because of the finger injury.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2017 |title=Spurs kick off rust from layoff to beat Clippers 105β97 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400900271 |access-date=February 25, 2017 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=February 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225075837/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400900271 |url-status=live }}</ref> On April 12, 2017, Gasol scored 13 points to reach 20,000 career points in a 101β97 regular-season finale loss against the [[Utah Jazz]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2017 |title=Hayward scores 14, Jazz beat Spurs 101β97 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400900605 |access-date=April 13, 2017 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=April 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413121410/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400900605 |url-status=live }}</ref> becoming the second European player to reach the mark after [[Dirk Nowitzki]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Jeff |date=April 13, 2017 |title=Spurs' Gasol becomes late addition to 20,000-point club |url=http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-Gasol-becomes-late-addition-to-11071779.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414084503/http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-Gasol-becomes-late-addition-to-11071779.php |archive-date=April 14, 2017 |access-date=April 14, 2017 |website=expressnews.com}}</ref> On July 24, 2017, Gasol re-signed with the Spurs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2017 |title=SPURS RE-SIGN PAU GASOL |url=http://www.nba.com/spurs/spurs-re-sign-pau-gasol |access-date=July 24, 2017 |website=NBA.com |archive-date=July 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727144402/http://www.nba.com/spurs/spurs-re-sign-pau-gasol |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 20, 2017, he had 20 points and a season-high 17 rebounds in a 93β91 win over the [[Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2017 |title=Aldridge, Gasol lead Spurs to 93β91 win over Trail Blazers |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975214 |access-date=December 20, 2017 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=July 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710103559/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975214 |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 23, 2017, he recorded his 10th career triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and a season-high 10 assists in a 108β99 win over the [[Sacramento Kings]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 23, 2017 |title=Spurs bounce back behind Aldridge, beat Kings 108β99 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975243 |access-date=December 23, 2017 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=December 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224160942/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975243 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=NBA |date=December 23, 2017 |title=Pau Gasol recorded his 10th career triple... |url=https://twitter.com/NBA/status/944800185951145985 |access-date=December 23, 2017 |website=Twitter |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814212628/https://twitter.com/NBA/status/944800185951145985 |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 26, 2017, in a 109β97 win over the [[Brooklyn Nets]], Gasol collected his 10,817th rebound, moving him past [[Jack Sikma]] for 30th in league history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 26, 2017 |title=Leonard, Aldridge lead healthy Spurs past Nets, 109β97 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975248 |access-date=December 26, 2017 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227123301/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975248 |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 26, 2018, in a 97β78 loss to the [[Philadelphia 76ers]], Gasol became the 34th player in NBA history to play 40,000 career minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2018 |title=Sixers beat Spurs 97β78, end 13-game skid in San Antonio |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975468 |access-date=January 26, 2018 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=January 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127202447/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975468 |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 25, 2018, he had 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds in a 106β103 loss to the [[Milwaukee Bucks]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 25, 2018 |title=Giannis returns, Bucks hold on for 106β103 win over Spurs |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975841 |access-date=March 26, 2018 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=March 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326202942/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975841 |url-status=live }}</ref> After appearing in the first nine games of the 2018β19 season,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pau Gasol 2018β19 Game Log |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gasolpa01/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=January 1, 2019 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308180043/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gasolpa01/gamelog/2019/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Gasol missed the next 26 games with a stress fracture in his right foot.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2018 |title=Spurs scored 46 in third to race past Celtics, 120β111 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071221 |access-date=January 1, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=January 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102002128/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071221 |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 1, 2019, he was released by the Spurs in a buyout agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2019 |title=SPURS AND PAU GASOL REACH BUYOUT AGREEMENT |url=https://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spurs-and-pau-gasol-reach-buyout-agreement |access-date=March 2, 2019 |website=NBA.com |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308180045/https://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spurs-and-pau-gasol-reach-buyout-agreement |url-status=live }}</ref> ===Milwaukee Bucks (2019)=== On March 3, 2019, Gasol signed with the [[Milwaukee Bucks]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2019 |title=Bucks Sign Six-Time All-Star Pau Gasol |url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/bucks-sign-six-time-all-star-pau-gasol |access-date=March 3, 2019 |website=NBA.com |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308180048/https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/bucks-sign-six-time-all-star-pau-gasol |url-status=live }}</ref> He played in three games for the Bucks.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Radcliffe |first=J. R. |date=May 10, 2019 |title=Pau Gasol won't play the rest of the way for the Bucks after undergoing surgery |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2019/05/10/bucks-veteran-pau-gasol-done-playoffs-after-surgery/1163733001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201130845/https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2019/05/10/bucks-veteran-pau-gasol-done-playoffs-after-surgery/1163733001/ |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |access-date=December 29, 2019 |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}}</ref> On March 23, it was reported that the Bucks expected Gasol to miss the next month due to a left ankle injury.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrews |first=Malika |date=March 23, 2019 |title=Sources: Gasol (ankle) expected to miss month |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26343471/sources-gasol-ankle-expected-miss-month |access-date=March 23, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324065810/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26343471/sources-gasol-ankle-expected-miss-month |url-status=live }}</ref> Gasol's injury ended his season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orense |first=Ralph |date=June 13, 2019 |title=Pau Gasol Has A Preferred Offseason Landing Spot |url=https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-pau-gasol-would-like-to-stay-with-milwaukee/ |website=ClutchPoints |access-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229061520/https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-pau-gasol-would-like-to-stay-with-milwaukee/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was unable to play in the playoffs and had surgery on his injured foot on May 9, 2019.<ref name="auto" /> === Return to Barcelona (2021) === On July 25, 2019, Gasol signed with the [[Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 25, 2019 |title=Trail Blazers Sign Two-Time NBA Champion & Six-Time NBA All-Star Pau Gasol |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/2019/7/25/blazers-sign-pau-gasol |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=NBA.com |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308180041/https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/2019/7/25/blazers-sign-pau-gasol |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 20, he was waived by the Trail Blazers without having played in a game for the team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers waive veteran Pau Gasol |url=http://www.nba.com/article/2019/11/20/trail-blazers-waive-pau-gasol |date=November 20, 2019 |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229061518/https://www.nba.com/article/2019/11/20/trail-blazers-waive-pau-gasol |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 23, 2021, Gasol returned to Spain to play in [[Liga ACB]] club [[FC Barcelona BΓ squet|FC Barcelona]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 23, 2021 |title=Pau Gasol back at BarΓ§a |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/basketball/first-team/news/2037718/pau-gasol-back-at-barca |access-date=February 23, 2021 |website=fcbarcelona.com |archive-date=June 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608103823/https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/basketball/first-team/news/2037718/pau-gasol-back-at-barca |url-status=live }}</ref> He won the [[2020β21 ACB season|2020β21]] ACB championship with Barcelona and helped the team reach the [[2021 EuroLeague Final Four#Final|final]] of the [[2020β21 EuroLeague]], where they lost to [[Anadolu Efes S.K.|Anadolu Efes]]. On October 5, 2021, Gasol announced his retirement from professional basketball.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mathew |first=Godwin |date=2022-08-18 |title="There's a reason that the Lakers acquired that dude for Kobe" - NBA analyst strongly believes Pau Gasol deserves his jersey to be retired by the LA Lakers |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-there-s-reason-lakers-acquired-dude-kobe-nba-analyst-strongly-believes-pau-gasol-deserves-jersey-retired-la-lakers |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110003446/https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-there-s-reason-lakers-acquired-dude-kobe-nba-analyst-strongly-believes-pau-gasol-deserves-jersey-retired-la-lakers |url-status=live }}</ref>
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