New York: Spanish 37-year-old free agent centre Pau Gasol, a six-time NBA All-Star, has agreed to a three-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs, ESPN reported on Friday.
The contract, according to unnamed sources in the ESPN website report, will include a partial guarantee in the final season for the Barcelona-born star, who is set to start his 17th NBA campaign later this year.
Gasol, who won NBA titles in 2009 and 2010 with the Los Angeles Lakers, spent seven seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies before being traded to the Lakers in 2008. He signed as a free agent with Chicago in 2014 and San Antonio last July.
In 64 games for the Spurs last season, Gasol averaged 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocked shots as San Antonio went 61-21, the NBA’s second-best record behind eventual playoff champion Golden State.
Gasol has career NBA averages of 17.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.7 blocked shots over 1,119 games.
By declining his $16.2 million contract option for next season, Gasol allowed the Spurs salary cap room to sign fellow free agents Rudy Gay, Brandon Paul and Joffrey Lauvergne and are in talks to bring back Argentine star reserve guard Manu Ginobili for a 16th season in San Antonio.
Guard John Wall, meanwhile, said he has signed a four-year contract extension with the Washington Wizards that multiple media outlets reported was worth $170 million.
Wall, 26, was eligible to sign a super-maximum contract after being named to the All-NBA Third Team last season.
The extension begins in 2019 and includes a fourth-year player option, ESPN reported.
“Signed my extension,” Wall said in a video posted on the Uninterrupted Twitter feed.
“You know where I want to be. I love being in DC, love the organisation, love my teammates, love the amazing fans. Just had to think it out with my family and friends.”
