Free agent big man Pau Gasol is one popular fella this summer — the OKC Thunder are reportedly the latest team pushing hard to acquire the longtime Los Angeles Laker. According to ESPN, the Chicago Bulls are also preparing their own pitch for the Spaniard:
The Oklahoma City Thunder, with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook acting as lead recruiters, have unexpectedly emerged as a leading contender for the services of Los Angeles Lakers free-agent center Pau Gasol, according to sources close to the process.
One source described Gasol as “opening up to the possibility” of joining forces with Durant and Westbrook even though Oklahoma City is limited to roughly $5 million in spending cash under the luxury-tax line at present.
Chicago Bulls officials, meanwhile, have scheduled a Thursday trip to Los Angeles to court Gasol, according to sources close to the process. […] Chicago’s rising interest in Gasol, sources said, is indeed a reflection of the Bulls’ concern that — despite their recruiting efforts Tuesday when Anthony came to Chicago — they will be unable to pry the All-Star forward away from the New York Knicks.
