The Chicago Bulls are clinging to slim playoff hopes as the 2015-16 regular season winds down, and their roster may look very different next season. One player who looks sure to be gone is forward Pau Gasol, as he has indicated that he will opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent.

Even at 35 years old (36 in July), Gasol remains a useful player (16.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game this season), and with the NBA salary cap in line to increase this summer, he can definitely get one more nice contract before his career is over. He has also been openly critical of his teammates recently, which is a clear sign he has no plans to re-sign with the Bulls.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are finishing another lottery-bound campaign this year. But they are finishing well, with a current three-game winning streak, and barring a complete upset Karl-Anthony Towns will make it two straight rookies of the year for the franchise (Andrew Wiggins in 2015). As Gasol looks at his free agent options, there is something else that may draw him to Minnesota.

Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio is a native of Spain, like Gasol, and the two have played together for their country in one Olympics and two European Championships. Trade rumors have surrounded Rubio, but assuming he remains in the fold, the Timberwolves would be wise to use him as part of any sales pitch to Gasol.

Gasol will probably want to sign with a team with a real chance to win a title next season, and the Timberwolves obviously aren’t quite there yet. But that by itself should not curb their interest, since they have legitimate positives to offer free agents now. The worst Gasol and his representation can do is say no to a meeting, or an eventual contract offer, so those minimal risks are well worth it for Minnesota as they form a list of free agents to target.