LOS ANGELES — If it was not apparent by now that Pau Gasol is cut out a little differently, consider the outside interests of the sublimely skilled, ever-so-polite and supremely conscientious 7-foot center.

How many other NBA stars spend their downtime sitting in on a pediatric spinal surgery, traveling to Iraq to visit Syrian refugees, exchanging opera and basketball tickets with Placido Domingo, or pledging $1,000 for every point he scores in a game to typhoon victims in the Philippines and then leading all scorers.

So, it is not a surprise that after a career that has spanned 13 seasons, earned him more than $156 million and two NBA titles, Gasol is taking a considered approach to his first foray into being a free agent.

In recent days, Gasol posted on his Twitter account a photo of an album cover of Chopin’s greatest hits — music to relax by — and of Rodin’s “The Thinker,” a doppelganger for the thoughtful man with much on his mind.

It seemed to be Gasol’s way of offering up an erudite wink.

This is, of course, the heart of the NBA’s silly season, known more formally as the opening days of free agency, when a report of a Kobe Bryant-Carmelo Anthony-Kevin Love pickup game at UCLA (that may or may not have happened) takes off like a brush fire.

For Gasol, though, anything does seem possible.

Amid the hysteria, Gasol is a man with options, many of which seem plausible as opposed to being ginned up by an agent seeking leverage.

Gasol is said to be willing to accept a significant pay cut from the $19.3 million he made last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he stated at the end of the season that he would prefer to play for a championship contender.

For someone who turned 34 on Sunday, has missed 55 games because of injuries over the past two seasons, has been helpless to stop the Lakers’ deterioration and has been a perpetual subject of trade rumors in recent seasons, it is not a bad place to be.

According to published reports, Gasol has been quite active recently:

• He met in Los Angeles with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, who presumably pitched him on how he could be the Oklahoma City Thunder’s missing link to a title contender.

• He spoke on the phone with Miami Heat president Pat Riley to find out what it would take to lure him to Miami, where he would give the team an authentic post presence at both ends of the court and a kindred make-the-right-play spirit for James.

• He was contacted by the San Antonio Spurs, who may not be able to offer him any more than the $5.3 midlevel exception now that they have re-signed Boris Diaw.

• He became Plan B for the Bulls if they strike out with Anthony. Chicago becomes even more formidable defensively with a rim protector to pair with Joakim Noah, and coach Tom Thibodeau and point guard Derrick Rose might not know what to do with a big man who can shoot.

• He took a call from New York Knicks president Phil Jackson, who may or may not have needled one of his favorite targets. (Last season, Jackson pledged $50 for typhoon relief for each point and rebound Gasol collected, and $1,000 for each charge he took. Alas, there were no charges taken.)

The Knicks, if they are not quite contenders, could be his most comfortable landing spot — joining Jackson; his former teammate turned coach, Derek Fisher; and point guard Jose Calderon, a close friend since they played in the Spanish youth program at the age of 16.

Gasol also met with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, who will have a better idea of where Gasol fits once James and Anthony make a decision.

On Saturday, Gasol took a moment to let everyone know where things stood. Keeping in character, he revealed little but did so with feeling.

“The process continues, Intense days with a lot to think about & consider,” Gasol wrote. “Have a great weekend everyone!”