Though it’s a popular topic, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski declares the Memphis Grizzlies aren’t looking at trading Marc Gasol. Should that change?
In a recent column, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski gave a small preview of what could transpire within the next month. With the trade deadline near, there are plenty of teams looking to buy and sell to better position themselves for this season — or for some teams, the future. In this article, he stated some news about Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol:
"Teams are curious to study Memphis’ plans with center Marc Gasol, but so far, the Grizzlies say they’re planning to keep him."
This isn’t entirely surprising by any means. Chris Wallace has stated that both Gasol and Conley are untouchable and the window is very open with both of them. Whether you agree or not is up to debate, but given Wallace is still the GM, Gasol will likely stay out of trade discussions.
There’s some blind optimism that a Conley return will spark a second-half run to the playoffs, but it probably won’t happen. However, the front office is probably keeping both Gasol and Conley, so that they — and a top-six pick — can run it back for a playoff run next year.
While it’s a fair possibility, the Grizzlies would be wise to at least explore what they could net for Marc Gasol. Their rebuild is inevitable, and he’s one of their few tradable assets. If they could receive a young prospect or two, why not pull the trigger on a trade?
Teams like Cleveland, Boston, Toronto and Portland have been linked to Marc Gasol in the past month or so. Why not try to bait Cleveland into surrendering Tristan Thompson and the declining Brooklyn pick? The only way Boston could probably pull off a Gasol trade is to ship Horford or Hayward — which isn’t happening. Calling Toronto about Jonas Valanciunas and OG Anunoby isn’t a bad idea. Maybe, Portland would cough up Jusuf Nurkic and Evan Turner.
Milwaukee is another possible destination. The Grizzlies should definitely call about either Jabari Parker, Malcolm Brogdon or Thon Maker.
Next: Grizzlies shopping Tyreke for late 1st-round pick?
The objective for the Memphis Grizzlies is an admirable one to say the least. However, they should at least see what they could receive for an aging All-Star on a lottery team.
The last time the Grizzlies traded a Gasol brother, they received an All-Star…