NBA Rumors: FC Barcelona Return Plans Slowly Closing On Former Lakers Center

Pau Gasol is 40 years old, an age where most professional basketball players would be calling it quits. However, the Spaniard feels that he can still play and his 7-foot frame is something that would help any basketball team that needs height.

With an abundance of talent available, no NBA team has come forward to take a chance on the six-time All-Star. Instead, Gasol has been linked to a return to FC Barcelona, a team that makes sense.

Reports surfaced that Gasol signed a contract with Barca that gives him the chance to play for his former club this 2020-21 season. But the former NBA Rookie of the Year has now set the record straight on his future plans.

Gasol tweeted Saturday that he remains focused on recovery and is not ready to compete for now. He also added that he would make an official announcement on when he will be playing again via his social media channels.

“After hearing the news out of Spain today, I wanted to share that I remain focused on my recovery and I am not ready to get back to competing just yet,” Gasol wrote.

He added, “Thank you very much for your support!”

The Spaniard went through a lot in his later NBA years, a reason why his playing minutes went down to none. He last played for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2019, although most hardly saw shades of Gasol due to injuries.

Regardless, he has shown through videos that he still had game. He hinted at a potential return to the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason not long after Marc Gasol joined the purple and gold. It would have been a nostalgic reunion, not to mention a proper farewell to the 40-year-old Spaniard. But that never happened and may never will.

Now dealing with yet another health setback, Gasol could still play for FC Barcelona but no longer in the same capacity as before. When healthy, there is no question that the 3rd overall pick of the 2001 NBA Draft is someone who can deliver.

But with injuries continuing to hound him at 40, it may only be a matter of time before Gasol announces his official retirement from the sport.