Free-agent big man Pau Gasol has agreed to a one-year, $2.6 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, league sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
Gasol, 39, joins a reshaped Blazers roster that is prepared to make a run at a return to the Western Conference finals -- and perhaps beyond.
On Twitter, Gasol said he is enthused to join the Blazers.
I'm very excited to announce that next season (my 19th in the @NBA) I'll play for the @trailblazers. ✍🏼😀
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) July 24, 2019
Ready and happy to join one of the best teams in the league! pic.twitter.com/NcE6UJbsZ4
Gasol will be added to a center rotation that includes Hassan Whiteside, Zach Collins and Jusuf Nurkic -- once Nurkic returns from a serious leg injury.
Portland had success with a center rotation that included Enes Kanter late last season and into the playoffs. Kanter signed with the Boston Celtics this summer.
Gasol brings the résumé of a future Hall of Famer as compiled across 18 NBA seasons, including two championships and six All-Star appearances.
He signed with the Milwaukee Bucks after a buyout with the San Antonio Spurs last season but played only three games with Milwaukee before a season-ending foot injury. Gasol finished the campaign having played just 30 games, averaging a career-low 3.9 points and 4.6 rebounds.
Gasol discussed a free-agent deal with the Blazers in 2016 before signing with San Antonio.
He also has played with the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls, and he had an outstanding FIBA career with the Spanish national team.
