Pau Gasol was one of the hottest subjects of numerous trade rumors before last month's trade deadline, but the Los Angeles Lakers failed to move the All-Star center.
Gasol, who has been involved in several trade talks over the past three seasons, will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and is expected to be pursued by several teams with cap space.
In a recent post on his official blog, Gasol insisted that he is keeping all options open, but he added that he is not ruling out re-signing with the Lakers in the offseason.
"Options open," said Gasol through a blog post translated by Hoops Hype. "Honestly I'm not ruling out renewing my contract, I'm just open to every option."
The 33-year-old veteran added that he will make a decision based on several factors, but the chance of winning a title would be the biggest factor he would consider when he makes his decision this summer, saying that he is already at a stage in which the financial side of a deal is not his main priority anymore.
"My decision will be based purely on sporting considerations. It couldn't be any other way. I want to be in a team with a real chance of winning a ring and where I can help to compete for it. I would like to win another championship. The financial side comes second at this stage of my career," Gasol said.
Gasol made it clear that he is open to returning to the Lakers not because of the team's ability to offer him the biggest contract that he can get this summer.
"I'm a free agent with no restrictions. That means I can go wherever I want," Gasol stressed. "The Lakers don't have any bargaining rights. My franchise has the chance of offering me more money and a longer contract, but that's not all that's going to matter as far as my decision."
Gasol recently expressed frustration over the Lakers' struggles this season. The 13-year-veteran took a swipe at his teammates and coaches, saying that the disappointing season that they are having is due to the team's lack of discipline.
"That's why you have to be disciplined and implement discipline, that's how you kind of make that better or make that not a factor," Gasol told ESPN. "I don't think there's a lot of discipline right now."
Previous reports indicated that Gasol, who is averaging 17.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game this season, is open to returning to the Memphis Grizzlies in which he spent the first six and half seasons of his storied NBA career.
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