Heading into the 2021 free agency period, Marc Gasol was one of just five Lakers players projected to be under contract with the team next season, along with Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the non-guaranteed deal of Alfonzo McKinnie. But what was less clear, however, was whether or not Gasol would want to return.
Gasol’s first season in purple and gold was a mixed one, at best. He was benched for Andre Drummond, who his teammates recruited to come in and play over him midseason after Gasol’s bout with COVID, something that left him considering a buyout.