Report: Pau Gasol will likely opt out of Bulls deal following this season

Enjoy it while it lasts, Chicago. Pau Gasol’s days as a Bull could be numbered.

Following a season-high 26 points and 19 rebounds in Wednesday night’s 99-90 win over Denver, Gasol told CSNChicago that he’ll “very likely” opt out of his Bulls contract and test the free-agent waters next summer.

“As long as I keep playing like this,” Gasol said, via CSNChicago. “I know I’ll have some options.”

Averaging better than a double-double, Gasol has been one of the major reasons why the Bulls are near the top of the Eastern Conference standings despite struggles from onetime leaders Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah.

The 35-year-old center signed a three-year, $22.3 million deal that included a player option on the third year prior to last season.

Gasol ranks eighth among all NBA centers with 14.4 points per game and sixth in rebounds. Of all centers, only Detroit’s Andre Drummond averages more points and rebounds per game than Gasol.

Prior to this season, Memphis big man and Gasol’s brother, Marc, said he’ll try to recruit Pau to the Grizzlies following this season.

“It’s not impossible that one day we could play together,” Marc said, via the Europa Press. “I think he has two more years in Chicago and I think it’s difficult that he would leave the team. I wouldn’t like it. But for us, and for Memphis to add someone like Pau, it would be unbelievable. We will try. Why not?”

Marc Gasol says he’ll try to recruit Pau Gasol to GrizzliesThe best Bulls player to wear each number

All stats via ESPN.