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The Memphis Grizzlies were one of a handful of surprise teams at or near the top of the NBA standings. But reality quickly set in when they lost three straight before December arrived and the losses kept mounting.
As my colleague Bruno Manrique of Clutch Points outlined in his piece, “The Grizzlies are no longer Grit ‘n’ Grind, so it’s time to blow it all up,” Memphis needs to recognize that the season is no longer about winning but about losing. In this case, they need to lose a couple of veterans that have served them well in the past but are now in the way of their future. Count Marc Gasol among those vets.
For the Grizzlies to get back into championship contention, rebuilding has to happen immediately beginning with one of their most expensive (Gasol is earning $24 million this season) and most experienced players (10 years and counting). The 7-foot-1 center is currently posting averages of 16.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per contest. These are numbers that will be quite serviceable to a championship or playoff contender.
What Memphis is going to look for in exchange for Gasol are draft picks and/or young players who could develop into key cogs in their future. Financial flexibility is also another consideration given that the big man is also due a hefty payday next season before his salary comes off the books.
If the Grizzlies recognize that they should move one of the pillars of Memphis’ Grit N’ Grind, here are five trade options for Marc Gasol:
*Note: These trades were simulated via ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine
5. Grizzlies receive: PG Patrick Beverley, PF Mike Scott, C Marcin Gortat, two future second-round picks
Clippers receive: C Marc Gasol
This is mostly a salary dump move for the Grizzlies.
Patrick Beverley and Marcin Gortat’s best years are now behind them but they will play hard every night. Mike Scott is averaging the lowest points of his career. Those two future second-round picks are Memphis’ only hope here.
The Los Angeles Clippers appeared to be on their way to the lottery after losing franchise players Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in back-to-back seasons. But tanking doesn’t appear to be an option for them now. With Gasol on board, he gives them a legitimate inside presence for a playoff run.
4. Grizzlies receive: PG Cory Joseph, C Nikola Vucevic, C Kyle O’Quinn
Magic receive: C Marc Gasol, two future second-round picks (from the Pacers)
Pacers receive: SG Terrence Ross, SF Jonathon Simmons
If the Grizzlies would like to blow up the team without sacrificing this season, they could make a deal for Nikola Vucevic of the Orlando Magic who’s having the best year of his career but is an unrestricted free agent by season’s end. They also receive Cory Joseph and Kyle O’Quinn from the Pacers in a three-team trade.
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The Magic get Marc Gasol who will be on hand for another season, making him the perfect mentor to rising star Aaron Gordon. They also receive a couple of second-rounders from the Pacers.
The playoff-contending Pacers are looking to add some bodies that will help them in their quest to take the East. Terrence Ross and Jonathon Simmons are going to help them get there.
3. Grizzlies receive: C Pau Gasol, PG Patty Mills, two future second-round picks
Spurs receive: C Marc Gasol
With this move, the San Antonio Spurs trade Paul Gasol for his own brother along with wily veteran Patty Mills and a couple of second-round picks. Despite being in seventh place in the West, the Spurs are just 4.5 games behind the conference-leading Denver Nuggets. Marc Gasol could help them get there. He will provide the Spurs with a defensive presence underneath and keep other teams from getting easy buckets.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, welcome back Pau Gasol who the Atlanta Hawks drafted for them with the third pick overall in 2001. Patty Mills joins him in Memphis where he will provide steady playmaking for them behind Mike Conley. Getting those two second-rounders should come in handy for their rebuilding efforts.
2. Grizzlies receive: SG Jeremy Lamb, PF Frank Kaminsky, C Bismack Biyombo
Hornets receive: C Marc Gasol
Jeremy Lamb is playing his best season so far and he would add another scorer in the wings for the Grizzlies. Along with Frank Kaminsky and Bismack Biyombo, Memphis will have three players with expiring contracts which will give them cap space in the summer.
For the Charlotte Hornets, they receive one of the best big men of recent years though one who is at the tail end of his career. His presence on the roster could convince soon-to-be free agent Kemba Walker to re-sign with the team in the offseason.
1. Grizzlies receive: C Enes Kanter, SF Mario Hezonja
Knicks receive: C Marc Gasol
It’s been a rocky season for the New York Knicks but that’s mainly because their franchise player, Kristaps Porzingis, hasn’t returned yet from the ACL injury he suffered last season. But center Enes Kanter hasn’t been given enough playing time to help the team either.
With only a one-year contract committed to the Knicks in the offseason, this makes him a prime target for the Grizzlies. His 14.4 points and 10.6 rebounds are a plus for the team as well. Mario Hezonja has had an up-and-down season but he is a young forward who could be part of the team’s rebuilding efforts if he plays well in a Memphis uniform.
A player like Gasol can only help Porzingis once he comes back. With Tim Hardaway Jr. playing the best basketball of his young career, there’s nowhere else for the struggling Knicks to go but up.
