Pau Gasol: 'I'll be a free agent and Chicago will always be my first option'

Pau Gasol confirmed that he plans to decline his $7.7-million player option for 2016-17, but Chicago Bulls fans need not worry.

Gasol told Marca, a Spanish news outlet, that he hopes to re-sign with Chicago this summer.

"I don't like talking about the future. It distracts me from the present, and that's why I've spoken out as little as possible," Gasol said, as translated by theScore. "We'll see what happens. The Bulls' door is open because I exercised the option in my contract and I'll be a free agent, and Chicago will always be my first option."

Since joining the Windy City on an inexpensive three-year, $22-million contract in 2014, Gasol leads the Bulls in rebounds (9.5) and ranks second to Jimmy Butler in points (17.8).

Chicago, however, might opt to move in a different direction away from its aging core. Beset by injuries, the 30-30 Bulls rank 10th in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls even fielded inquiries from the Sacramento Kings as to Gasol's availability at the trade deadline, before ultimately choosing to stand pat.

Gasol understands that the franchise might be at a crossroads.

"I don't know if the franchise will put in the effort to retain me. I know what I've done, giving up a better contract so that the team can have the option of a ring," he said. "If the situation doesn't occur, I'll have to assess other things. Money obviously isn't the most important thing, but I also want my game to be valued."

The 35-year-old Spaniard is just one of many core pieces that might be on the move this summer. Joakim Noah is also slated to become a free agent, and Taj Gibson - another name bandied about in trade rumors this trade deadline - is entering the final year of his contract.