The Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets got awfully close to a potential trade for veteran center Marc Gasol, but the trade could easily fall off the rails due to a minute discrepancy.
According to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, a trade that would send Bismack Biyombo, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and a protected first-round pick to the Grizzlies could be in peril due to the protection of the aforementioned first-rounder:
The holdup at this point is the protection on the pick, per a source; it might be enough of an issue to derail the trade entirely.
There is “increasing pessimism on both sides” that a trade will be finalized, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, but the trade could fit the Hornets' needs for a reliable big man to pair with All-Star starter Kemba Walker, further increasing the chances he'd be willing to re-sign over the summer.
Unloading Biyombo and Kidd-Gilchrist would also give Charlotte some salary relief and flexibility to sign Walker to a max deal this offseason, while pairing him with a reliable scorer on the block and a nifty passer.
As for the Grizzlies, the pick protection is everything, as neither of the aforementioned returns are long-term pieces who could help them rebuild.
If the two sides can't agree on a deal, it's likely Memphis will keep shopping Marc Gasol until a better offer comes around, or hold onto him until the offseason to see if there's a better deal at hand.
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