The Charlotte Hornets came mightily close to acquire Marc Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies, as they were previously considered the frontrunners to trade for him before the NBA trade deadline, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.
The Toronto Raptors, however, wound up wooing the Grizzlies by offering Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, C.J. Miles, and 2024 second-round pick in return for the 34-year-old big man.
“Charlotte came close to acquiring Gasol before some last-minute haggling, per league sources. The Hornets had a lottery-protected first-round pick ready for most of this week, sources say. Losing Gasol hurts, but they get to keep that pick, and the East is so bad they might limp into the playoffs anyway. Just pray for Kemba Walker, who has zero help.”
The Hornets were banking on making Gasol that tandem star that would partner with Kemba Walker and give him the necessary help to contend in a much-improved Eastern Conference.
A previously proposed package of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bismack Biyombo, and a 2019 protected first-round draft pick couldn't seal the deal, due to the protection on the pick — something that winds up costing the Hornets a stronger pitch for Walker to stay in the summer.
The three-time All-Star and first-time starter in the midseason event will head into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, and while the commitment to the city has been mutual from franchise and owner, stranger things have happened when there is a change of heart.
Follow Us
Subscribe