LAS VEGAS — Another day came and went without four-time All-Star Pau Gasol committing to another team Thursday, bolstering the Spurs' hopes that they might yet land their top free-agent prize.

The 34-year-old big man remains in talks with several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, the team with which Gasol spent the past 61/2 seasons and won NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.

By league rule, the most the Spurs can offer is a contract starting at the mid-level exception of $5.3 million for next season. That represents a significant step down from the $19.3 million Gasol earned last season in L.A.

Other teams besides the Spurs believed to still be in the mix for Gasol's services include Oklahoma City, Miami, New York and Chicago.

Gasol also has not ruled out a return to Los Angeles. According to a Yahoo! Sports report, Gasol met again with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak on Wednesday night.

The Bulls are widely considered frontrunners to land Gasol should he depart L.A., with the possibility of a sign-and-trade involving Carlos Boozer giving Chicago the ability to outbid all suitors other than the Lakers.

Should Gasol decide to chase a third career championship with the Spurs, he would rank as perhaps the team's top free-agent acquisition of the Tim Duncan era.

When free agency opened earlier this month, plugged-in sources across the league considered the Spurs' courtship of Gasol a long shot at best.

Much of that skepticism was rooted in the unavoidable gulf between what the Spurs could offer and what Gasol might command on the open market.

Yet the Spurs have remained persistent in their pitch to Gasol since the opening of free agency July 1. Eleven days later, as much of the team's front office staff heads to Las Vegas for the start of NBA Summer League this week, the Spurs remain in contention for the 7-footer's services.

Gasol has in the past been complimentary of the Spurs' system in general and coach Gregg Popovich in particular.

In a May interview with the Spanish-language website Marca.com, Gasol named the San Antonio as one destination he would seriously consider this summer.

“The Spurs players maybe don't rack up statistics, but the team and the coach they have, to me, seems like a very good option,” Gasol said at the time.

What is not in dispute among those following Gasol's free agency: He would be a seamless fit with the Spurs, who are less than a month removed from winning a championship with the brand of international-flavored, team-oriented basketball that fits squarely in the Spaniard's wheelhouse.

Gasol averaged 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds last season, playing for a Lakers team that floundered to 27-55 and landed in the lottery. Many believe he would welcome a chance to continue his career with a more viable contender.

If Gasol were to choose the Spurs, it would likely mean one or both of the team's remaining free agents — forward Matt Bonner and center Aron Baynes — would not be back.

The Spurs already have commitments from 13 players for next season, assuming the team signs first-round pick Kyle Anderson. The NBA roster maximum is 15.

It is believed that Gasol will wait for many of the summer's other big catches — LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony chief among them — to settle their situations before making his own decision.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN