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NBA Trade Rumors: Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol to Feel Impact of Anthony Davis’ Relocation Request

By Christian Dudley

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives the ball around Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies at Smoothie King Center on January 07, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives the ball around Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies at Smoothie King Center on January 07, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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As NBA trade rumors around the league are heating up, Anthony Davis’ trade request will have an impact on the Memphis Grizzlies’ efforts to deal Marc Gasol.

On Monday, NBA superstar Anthony Davis requested a trade via his agent. He becomes the biggest name in recent NBA trade rumors, joining the Memphis Grizzlies‘ Marc Gasol as a second big-name center on the trade market.

Davis’ situation with the New Orleans Pelicans has been brewing for quite some time — even prior to the start of the 2018-19 NBA season. It was almost a guarantee that it would boil down to this point, and so here we are — just days before the NBA Trade Deadline.

For NBA fans across the globe, this is an exciting portion of the season. Trade rumors get everyone’s minds working on how to improve certain NBA teams’ rosters — both now and in future seasons.

2019’s NBA Trade Deadline is looking as if it will not disappoint. Many teams have been on the phones and a lot of NBA trade rumors have leaked into social media platforms. With Anthony Davis’ request for trade on Monday, the craziness behind midseason player movement has been taken to another level.

Davis is wishing to leave the Pelicans and a departure from his team of 6.5 seasons would likely mean that he would be leaving the Southwest Division altogether. Oddly enough, the Memphis Grizzlies could be waving goodbye to their very own All-Star center, though via different circumstances.

Nearly one week ago, the Grizzlies’ majority owner, Robert Pera, met with Gasol and Mike Conley to inform them both that they would be hearing their names in NBA trade rumors prior to the February 7th trade deadline.

With approximately 10 days remaining in trade season, Gasol and Conley are still members of the Memphis Grizzlies’ roster. Now with Anthony Davis’ demand for a change of scenery, make for a domino effect leading up to the trade deadline.

Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers could perform a blockbuster deal to land a guy like Marc Gasol, but now Anthony Davis leapfrogs the Grizzlies’ center. After all, Davis is a top-five player in the league when healthy.

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Still, there will likely be a bidding war of sorts for Anthony Davis as the New Orleans Pelicans do not have to grant his wish of being traded to a contending NBA franchise. Honestly, they do not have to deal him at all this season. The Pelicans could hold out and leave him disgruntled.

This enables Marc Gasol to be a backup plan for teams attempting to acquire a big-name big man. If Davis is moved to, say, the L.A. Lakers, one of the biggest potential landing spots for Gasol is eliminated. However, some of these middle-of-the-pack teams that do not have much of a shot at Davis will still be intrigued for the opportunity of landing Big Spain.

Teams that may lose out on Anthony Davis could become further inclined to do a deal for Marc Gasol, a consolation prize of sorts, though still a productive NBA center at 34 years of age.

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It is easy to tell when Gasol is motivated on the hardwood, and a determined Marc is one that is still a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Big Spain is also coming off of a triple-double performance and much improved shooting from the field this month. It is as if he is auditioning himself for a potential suitor to swoop in and relocate him to a new franchise. Teams must be chomping at the bit with the way No. 33 has been playing as of late.

For the Memphis Grizzlies, it would be ideal for the Los Angeles Lakers to bid on Gasol, which will likely only happen if Anthony Davis remains out of NBA trade rumors. L.A. could offer players that Memphis could add to their rebuilding plan rather than be stuck in situations of bad, unproductive contracts. This is what Memphis will be looking for in potential trades — pieces that could jumpstart the rebuilding phase, that also mesh well with Jaren Jackson Jr.

For now, it is time to play the game of wait-and-see. The Memphis Grizzlies will be fielding offers as the New Orleans Pelicans will, too, for their own All-Star center.

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Regardless of what happens with Davis, things will likely go down to the wire on February 7th prior to the NBA Trade Deadline. Because Memphis is the “Plan B” for interested teams, they may have to make a decision very quickly. Do not be surprised if the end result is Marc Gasol remaining with the Grizzlies through the remainder of the 2018-19 season.

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