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Gasol opts out of Bulls deal

Pau Gasol officially opted out of the final year of his Bulls contract Monday, a team source confirmed. The veteran center will become an unrestricted free agent on Friday.

The move was a foregone conclusion and Gasol is widely expected to move on from the Bulls. San Antonio has been mentioned as a possible destination for Gasol.

Bulls general manager Gar Forman said Monday he plans to meet with the team's own free agents, but they figure to lose both Gasol and Joakim Noah this summer. Noah is thought to be a top target of the New York Knicks and was photographed at a club with former Bulls teammate Derrick Rose in New York a few days ago.

Gasol, 35, produced good numbers in his two seasons with the Bulls, averaging 16.5 points and 11.0 rebounds last year. Defense was often an issue, though, as opposing teams tried to exploit Gasol in pick-and-rolls.

One free agent the Bulls will likely try to re-sign is guard E'Twaun Moore. Forman mentioned him by name Monday when top draft pick Denzel Valentine was introduced.

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