Pau Gasol speaks to Heat president Pat Riley
Free-agent center Pau Gasol had a telephone conversation with Miami Heat president Pat Riley on Tuesday and could talk again with the franchise in the near future, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
The cost for Gasol could still be prohibitive for the Heat, but there's little doubt he could be an intriguing part to a supporting cast in Miami. So far, Gasol is still pushing for a $10 million-$12 million annual salary, league sources said.
The NBA champion San Antonio Spurs have inquired with Gasol's agent Arn Tellem, expressing an interest, sources said, but the Spurs can't become a legitimate suitor unless Gasol significantly drops his asking price.
Gasol met with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak in Los Angeles on Tuesday, and ultimately they could become his best chance to get his asking price, if only on a one-year contract.
Gasol has spent the past six seasons with the Lakers, where he averaged 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds last season.
