The enthusiasm in Pau Gasol’s voice rose as he gushed about a season finally free of any trade discussions, fluctuating roles or health issues. He also sounded at peace

But despite relishing his time with the Chicago Bulls since leaving the Lakers this offseason as a free agent, Gasol sensed another wave of anxiety.

When the Lakers (9-19) visit the Chicago Bulls (19-9) on Thursday at United Center, Gasol will attach plenty of sentiments to a Christmas Day matchup that symbolizes his past and present colliding.

“It’ll be emotional,” Gasol said in an interview with the Los Angeles News Group. “So I can’t be distracted. I just have to play well.”

Gasol predicted he will not feel as overwhelmed as when the Bulls play the Lakers on Jan. 29 at Staples Center. Then, Gasol will likely receive a positive reception for his 6½ seasons with the Lakers after the franchise acquired him in February of 2008 in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies.

As Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told the Los Angeles News Group as he walked down a Staples Center hallway, “We’ve been to the Finals three times and there’s two banners in this building that we would not have if it wasn’t for Pau Gasol.”

With Gasol’s 18 points and 11.5 rebounds per-game average this season marking a highers statistical output than in any of his last three years with the Lakers, Gasol will likely live up to his promise of playing well against his former team.

Yet it still strikes Gasol five months later how difficult it became for him to leave the Lakers. It seems ironic considering the Lakers’ unsuccessful attempts to trade Gasol, including when former NBA Commissioner David Stern nixed the Chris Paul deal in December of 2011 that would have sent Gasol to the Houston Rockets.

“They made it really hard because of all the strong relationships and feelings and emotions that I have with many people in the franchise and the city,” Gasol said. “It was hard to put those emotions aside and make the most cerebral decision.”

The hardest part entailed informing Kobe Bryant in what Gasol called an “open hearted” and “very honest” conversation. Gasol’s versatile post presence and amenable personality had complemented Bryant’s high-volume scoring and demanding leadership style. Bryant also publicly supported Gasol amid trade rumors and fluctuating roles.

“We’re friends. We have a special bond,” Gasol said of Bryant. “He wanted me to stay, continue to fight and overcome the situation that was put in front of us. A big part of me wanted to do that as well.”

Gasol decided otherwise.

He entertained offers from the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks and what he called “many other options” that he kept unpublished. Meanwhile, the Lakers finished last season with a 27-55 record with their worst season in L.A. franchise history. The Lakers only had Bryant, Steve Nash and Robert Sacre under guaranteed contracts for the 2014-15 season.

Considering their disagreements over his offensive system, Mike D’Antoni’s resignation softened Gasol’s reservations about inking his future with a purple-and-gold pen. But the Lakers kept their head-coaching vacancy open until hiring Byron Scott in late July.

“That tells me there’s going to be a process of learning and adjusting to newer things,” Gasol said. “That’s not exactly the combination to win right away and to have certain security.”

Gasol rarely enjoyed that luxury for the past three seasons. He became linked in trade discussions both real and imagined.

To ease those concerns, Gasol said the Lakers offered a no-trade clause. They also offered deals worth $29 million over three years and $23 million over two years. The Lakers believed Gasol would stay if they had landed LeBron James and/or Carmelo Anthony.

“We did the best we could to keep him,” Kupchak said of Gasol. “He looked at his options and decided to go to another place that he felt was best for him.”

Gasol signed with the Bulls for three years at over $22 million.

“I took a big pay cut to leave,” Gasol said. “But my main priority was to put myself in a position to win another championship right away.”

The 34-year-old Gasol believes the Bulls best fit that criteria. He described his teammates as “high-quality players” and “very unselfish,” including speedy point guard Derrick Rose and a deep frontcourt featuring Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson.

Gasol attributes part of his enhanced production to improved health after missing a combined 55 games the last two seasons because of knee tendinosis, plantar fascia in his left foot and vertigo.

“I feel very comfortable here in being the best I can be,” Gasol said. “I feel rejuvenated.”

After disagreeing with former Lakers coaches Mike Brown and D’Antoni over his role, Gasol has provided a post presence he once enjoyed under Phil Jackson. Even with conceding it has been a “learning process” in adjusting to the demanding practices under Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, Gasol said he “appreciates what he brings to the table.”

“He takes his job seriously,” Gasol said of Thibodeau. “He’s a very methodical coach, works extremely hard and is extremely devoted to the team.”

Gasol also shows devotion to philanthropic projects both old and new. Gasol has maintained relationships with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and My Safe L.A, an initiative sponsored by the Los Angeles Fire Department that addresses fire safety issues. Gasol has also visited Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.

Gasol also cannot resist monitoring the Lakers.

“It’s hard for me to see the Lakers struggle,” Gasol said. “But I like to keep an eye on my team, I mean my former team, and people I care about deeply.”

That includes Bryant, who recently surpassed Michael Jordan for third place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. The 36-year-old Bryant has also averaged 24.6 points, albeit on a career-low 37.2 percent shooting in his 19th NBA season after playing in only six games last season because of injuries to his left Achilles tendon and left knee.

“He stands out as one of the greatest ever,” Gasol said of Bryant. “I’m very proud of his accomplishments and how he continues to perform and handle himself as a unique player and unique human being.”

So unique that Gasol takes a balanced approach in providing perspective on Bryant to his new teammates. Gasol also said Rose’s recent injuries to both knees, his left hamstring and right ankle involve different circumstances than Bryant’s ailments.

“People have an understanding with what Kobe’s about and his toughness. But he’s one of a kind,” Gasol said. “There’s only so many players that can relate to him. I just try to share things about his drive, competitiveness and leadership and how tough he is to my teammates.”

The Bulls will see first-hand once Bryant steps on the court. Then, Gasol will embrace the Lakers’ star. That will then open up emotions that will leave Gasol appreciative of the Lakers’ past he once lived and the Bulls’ present he currently enjoys.