Marc Gasol received a hero's welcome at FedEx Forum on Tuesday night, when the three-time All-Star emerged from the arena's gallows to join his Memphis Grizzles teammates on the bench.
He hurt his hand in a win over the New York Knicks two days earlier, but that was not the reason for Gasol's absence.
Instead, the Grizzlies held him out while they engaged in advanced trade discussions with the Charlotte Hornets, reporting that had clearly buzzed its way through the crowd before it gave Big Spain a standing ovation.
Has Gasol already played his last game in a Memphis uniform?
That he didn't make the trip with his long-time team to face the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Wednesday further supports that likelihood, as noted by The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Sources: As active discussions continue between Grizzlies and Hornets, Marc Gasol did not travel with Memphis on their trip to Oklahoma City.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2019
There was enough momentum in the discussions between the Grizzlies and Hornets on Tuesday for most to assume Gasol would officially be on the way out by night's end.
Reports even emerged that the nameplate on Gasol's locker had been removed, too, but a deal never materialized. Still, he told Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer on Wednesday morning that he expects to land with Charlotte.
The Hornets, 26-27, are currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Though adding a player of Gasol's esteemed caliber, even in a capacity diminished by age, would be a major upgrade for James Borrego's team, any hopes of it cracking the conference elite once the deal is completed seem irrationally optimistic.
Given that reality and the fact that Gasol has a player option on his contract next season, it makes sense for Charlotte to hold out as long as possible before making its best offer to Memphis.
The trade deadline is in less than 24 hours away.
Many, many moves will be made before then, but Gasol's trade to the Hornets seems likeliest among them.
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