Why the Memphis Grizzlies should keep Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol has been the subject of trade rumors for much of this season. However, the Memphis Grizzlies would be wise to not pull the trigger.

Remember the beginning of the season when the Memphis Grizzlies were relevant? When the fans were raving that this could be the year where the team could do big things? The Grizzlies were just coming off a win against the Warriors and multiple victories over the Rockets. They were 5-1 with a mostly healthy lineup.

However, the injury bug hit, and they lost eleven straight. They haven’t recovered, dropping to one of the worst records in the NBA.

Now, it’s trade season. Ben McLemore, Tyreke Evans, and James Ennis are on the block for the right price, signaling that this will be a lost season. Why hasn’t Wallace put Marc Gasol on the trading block? Perhaps he’s smarter than many people believe.

The Beginning of the Season wasn’t a Fluke

Think about this again for a second: The Memphis Grizzlies had the same roster along with a hobbled Mike Conley, yet they were able to beat top teams in the West.

They had three players in Conley, Gasol, and Evans who could consistently score. With only Marc and Reke as the Grizzlies’ consistent scorers, Conley would’ve provided the Grizzlies with a much-needed third scoring option.

Earlier this year, the Grizz played much better defense as well. In the month of October, they were ranked top 5 in the league with a defensive rating of 97.6. Now, the Grizzlies are 16th in defensive rating at a pedestrian 106.2.

If the Grizzlies can keep Gasol and Conley together next year, the team will be closer to what it was at the beginning of the season rather than what they are now.

Adding a Top Draft Pick Could Provide A Needed Spark

The Grizzlies will need another key player, assuming Evans walks in free agency next summer. Having spent so much money on Conley, Gasol and Parsons, the Grizzlies can’t offer Evans a large enough contract to lure him back to Beale Street.

Insert a top draft pick here.

Adding talent such as Trae Young, Michael Porter, or DeAndre Ayton could not only be a difference maker next season, but they could also make life easier for Marc Gasol. Without Tyreke, the Grizzlies will need a third scoring option, and a top draft pick could fulfill that role. This draft class promises to be one of the deepest in years. Even a GM with a draft history as weak as Wallace shouldn’t be able to miss.

Even without Evans, the Grizzlies could have another chance to make the playoffs under a core of Gasol, Conley and their pick.

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Conclusion

Though many fans think keeping Gasol is a lost cause, he could benefit greatly from a healthy Mike Conley and a high quality scorer from the draft. The Grizz will also benefit in allowing their younger players to develop experience during this lowly season.

It definitely makes sense to give Conley and Gasol one more year to lift the Grizzlies to another playoff appearance.  Hopefully, they’ll be able to strike the balance of developing young talent and competing, while their aging stars gradually pass the torch as their careers wane.

The Grizzlies would be smart to keep Marc Gasol. Perhaps next year, with the addition of a lottery pick, he and Mike Conley could prove they can be successful with Zach Randolph and Tony Allen.