The question was simple: With half the season complete, is Pau Gasol satisfied with the decision to sign with the Spurs last summer?

The answer was just as simple: yes.

“It was a great decision,” Gasol told the Express-News. “I came here to have a chance to win a title and we’re second in the league right now, second best record, so that puts you in a position to win a title. That was a priority, and it still is.”

Gasol signed a two-year deal worth roughly $30 million with the Spurs. The second year of the deal is a player option worth $16 million. Asked if he intended to opt-in Year 2 of his contract, Gasol agreed it’s a safe bet.

“My intention is to continue here, and to be here as long as I can,” said Gasol, who will turn 37 before the start of the 2017-18 season.

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With the NBA salary cap expected to increase to $102 million next season, Gasol could sign a new deal for more money, though. He admitted signing with the Portland Trail Blazers last offseason was a strong possibility. After Gasol decided to sign with the Spurs, the Blazers landed forward-center Festus Ezeli, which hasn’t worked out.

If Gasol decided not to opt-in this summer, no reason the Blazers, or another team in need of a veteran big, wouldn’t make a run at his services and pay more than $16 million.

“To be honest, I don’t look that far ahead, but I would see that that as very unlikely,” said Gasol, who reiterated his decision to return to the Spurs. “I would love to continue here as long as a possible.”