Star berth and averaged 18.9 points and 9.6 rebounds last season as Los Angeles won its 15th NBA title. His numbers are nearly the same this season despite missing the first 11 games with an injured right hamstring.
Los Angeles is 15-1 since Gasol’s return. The Lakers host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas Day.
Gasol is making $16.5 million this season and $17.8 million next year. His new deal likely will pay him around $20 million per season, but that might be less than what Gasol could have made as a free agent.
A few extra millions meant little to Gasol, who led Spain to the most recent FIBA world championship and the European title, winning tournament MVP honors both times. After starting his NBA career as a reluctant franchise player in Memphis, he much prefers the cool California lifestyle in a cosmopolitan city more like his native Barcelona.
“I think I’ve matured a lot since I came here, and the quality of everything is just a bit higher (than in Memphis),” Gasol said.
Gasol feels the Lakers have a remarkable team chemistry, with no jealousy or anger over playing time or scoring chances. Young center Andrew Bynum is signed through 2012 with a club option for the following season, while Gasol,Air Max stab, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest all agreed to extensions or new contracts in the last few months to be supporting players to Bryant, the NBA’s second-leading scorer with 29.3 points per game.
Gasol said he believes Bryant intends to finalize his own extension soon, keeping together the Lakers’ championship core for several more years. Although Bryant hasn’t formally inked a three-year extension likely worth over $80 million, he declined the chance to opt out of his current contract this summer, flatly saying he wouldn’t leave the Lakers.
“We continue to have dialogue with Kobe and his representative,dunk sb,” Kupchak said. “I do anticipate continued discussions, but that’s really all I can say. I’ve always felt … that Kobe should and would end his career in Los Angeles.”
With owner Jerry Buss willing to spend beyond the limits of the salary cap, Kupchak believes he can keep together the entire core of the NBA&rsquo,Air Yeezy;s most valuable and profitable franchise, according to Forbes magazine. Kupchak even believes the Lakers can keep 10-time NBA champion coach Phil Jackson, who has given confusing signals in recent weeks about whether he sees a long-term future with the club.
“If he sees growth and a future with this team, he’ll come back,” Kupchak said. “Cutting a deal is the easy part. It’s about his health, and what he’s achieved.”