http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/11207844/pau-gasol-tweets-joining-chicago-bulls
Free-agent forward Pau Gasol will be joining the Chicago Bulls, he tweeted Saturday.
Pau Gasol ✔ @paugasol
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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
5:31 PM - 12 Jul 2014
Gasol spent the past six seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Prior to Friday, the Lakers offered Gasol two deals: two years worth $23 million, and three years worth $29 million, a league source told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Dave McMenamin. Gasol turned down both offers, according to the source.
The Lakers and Bulls had been in talks about a sign-and-trade deal for Gasol, but sources said those discussions failed.
The Bulls will need to make some roster moves to make this deal official, likely amnestying Carlos Boozer and the final year of his deal which pays him $16.8 million.
Chicago is still in talks to sign 2011 first-round pick Nikola Mirotic to a deal and will need cap space for that as well.
Hampered by injuries last season, including a bout of vertigo, Gasol played in 60 games and averaged a career-low 31.4 minutes per game. Despite the lessened time on the court, he still averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game for the Lakers.