National Basketball Association

Report: Grizzlies concerned Marc Gasol will go to Spurs

Published May. 17, 2015 3:41 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

By Robert Judin

Marc Gasol is accustomed to Tennessee. It’s where he went to high school. It’s been his home for years. Even when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, he never played for them. He was traded for his brother, Pau, and every major level of basketball for him has been in Tennessee - aside from playing for Spain’s national team.

Needless to say, many thought the idea of Gasol leaving the Memphis Grizzlies this summer was farfetched. It may not be so crazy, after all.

Memphis is in a tough spot. Both Gasol and Zach Randolph are free agents, and though the new TV deal will give every team nice advance on their allowance to lure free agents, the Grizzlies may not benefit from that as much.

Mike Conley Jr is set to make about $9.7 million next year - the last year of his deal. And in a point guard-driven league, the Grizzlies are probably going to begin negotiations on an extension soon.

Jeff Green has a player option for next year worth about $9.2 million, and right now it seems as though he’ll accept it. Tony Allen and Courtney Lee are set to make a combined $26 million and change over the next two to three years. So Memphis may have some decisions to make here pretty soon.

As for Gasol, if he chooses to leave, he’ll have his pick of suitors. Though, the San Antonio Spurs appear to be the leader right now.

Sam Amick of USA Today Sports reports that there is "confidence" Gasol won't want to leave the Grizzlies, but there is also some concern about him potentially going to the Spurs.

The Spurs are also in an interesting situation. At this point, it’s Kawhi Leonard’s world, and Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are just living in it. Many expect Manu Ginobili to retire soon, so that will clear some cap space. 

Parker is owed about $55 million through the 2017-18 season, but Duncan’s year-to-year situation makes things a whole lot easier. Duncan made just more than $10 million this year, but he could easily bump that down a little and decide to give it one last go for a ring with Gasol starting next to him. 

Tiago Splitter, Boris Diaw, Patrick Mills, and Kyle Anderson are the only ones - other than Parker - who are signed through next season. Danny Green is also going to ask for some cash because he’s been vital to the Spurs’ floor spacing with his perimeter shooting. He’s a free agent this summer as well. 

Other teams like the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers will make an attempt to dangle loads of cash in front of Gasol like a State Farm commercial, but all indications are he’s looking to stay in a small market. 

If Gasol does leave Memphis for San Antonio, it would allow Duncan to pass the torch just like David Robinson did so many years ago.

More from Gamedayr:

share

Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Basketball Association