The Memphis Grizzlies continue to lose and it’s only a matter of time before they start to consider making some trades. When that happens Marc Gasol could be one of the many potential candidates to be dealt.
The Memphis Grizzlies are looking to make another push to stay in the playoff picture but if the losing continues then a fire sale could happen. That could even include longtime center, Marc Gasol.
On the season he is averaging 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. He has done that while playing in all 43 games the Grizzlies have played in.
We have no reason to believe that the Grizzlies would be interested in dealing Gasol and at the moment it isn’t something they should consider.
They want to go all in on making the playoffs one last time with Mike Conley and Gasol but assuming they lose a few more games then everybody should be available outside of Jaren Jackson Jr.
That doesn’t mean the team should go out of their way to trade anybody but if they get wowed then they definitely should make the move.
They don’t have a great young core but if they could acquire a couple of second round picks and another young prospect or two then it would look a lot better.
Kyle Anderson and Dillon Brooks are also two guys who could be around for the long haul so they likely would be off the table in trade talks.
While the Grizzlies have a handful of role players who could be moved it’s Gasol who could draw the most interest.
One whisper making the rounds: Marc Gasol can become a free agent at season's and, amid a growing belief around the league that he will indeed exercise that option, Memphis could be moved to explore trading Gasol now rather than face the threat of losing him without compensation
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 15, 2019
If he opts out as many expect him to then it’s possible that teams would be willing to trade for him knowing they don’t have to pay his 2019-20 salary.
Opposing teams know he isn’t the player he once was but he has shown in multiple games this season that he has nights where he plays like an all-star player.
His offensive struggles are real but when he’s motivated his defensive presence is more than enough to make up for it.
For any team to trade for him they would likely want to have a quality center already on the roster so Gasol doesn’t have to play huge minutes as he does in Memphis.
We still have a few weeks before the trade deadline but if the Grizzlies keep losing expect trade rumors to start up surrounding this team, with Gasol being the most coveted.