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With each domino of the NBA free agency period falling into place, first with LeBron James announcing that he's going home to Cleveland and then with Carmelo Anthony making his decision earlier today to stay with the Knicks, former Lakers center Pau Gasol tweeted this afternoon that he's signed with the Chicago Bulls.
It hasn't been easy. After meditating it a lot I've chosen to play with the Chicago Bulls. Looking forward to this new chapter of my career
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) July 12, 2014
(Oh, and another part of the LeBron fallout? Linsanity is coming to the Staples Center)
The seven-foot Spaniard, who had been with the Lakers since an infamous trade in 2008 netted him from Memphis, seemed always to be a fan favorite behind Kobe Bryant even though he was always at the center of various trade rumors through the years (and was even actually moved in the Chris Paul trade that was voided by the league). Bryant had always been vocally in support of keeping Gasol, although coach Mike D'Antoni seemed to have no idea how to use him according to the L.A. Times.
With Carmelo Anthony choosing the Knicks over the Chicago Bulls, who had been courting him, the Bulls immediately went to Plan B and signed Gasol. Due to the vagaries of the NBA salary cap the Bulls tried to work out a sign-and-trade deal with the Lakers to acquire Gasol, but it seems as if that did not come through according to the Chicago Tribune.
With the Lakers, Gasol won two NBA Championships and was a three time All-Star. His shining moment in L.A. came in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals when he scored 19 points and had 18 rebounds against the Celtics to bring the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to L.A. In Chicago, he'll solidify a large frontcourt alongside Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson.
