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Memphis Grizzlies: Raptors Decisively Win Marc Gasol Trade

By AJ Salah

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 4: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket as Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on February 4, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 4: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket as Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on February 4, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies traded Marc Gasol prior to the NBA Trade Deadline (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

The Net Result

In short, this deal stinks for the Memphis Grizzlies because they failed at the NBA Trade Deadline to either get what they needed, or hit the Raptors where it hurt. The return is unlikely to greatly alter Memphis’ rebuild arc, while the Raptors’ treasure chest is practically unscathed.

Delon Wright is the prize of this deal for Memphis; a young, versatile, athletic point guard with a high motor and condor-esque wingspan. He was dead weight in Toronto; highly-overqualified as their third-best PG, on an expiring rookie deal they would not be able to commit.

C.J. Miles was also rendered largely useless in Toronto by Danny Green‘s arrival. Averaging 5.5 points in 14 minutes, his biggest contribution to the Raptors this year was a GoDaddy commercial. He would have been a great addition for Memphis as recently as last summer, but on the wrong side of 30, he offers little to their long-term plans.

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Jonas Valanciunas is an ostensibly-valuable “young” center. In reality, he is basically just a worse version of Marc Gasol, who had plateaued with the Toronto Raptors and fallen out of the starting lineup. He is that breed of unathletic big who is neither an elite rim-protector, nor competent stretch threat. As such, Toronto left him to feast on second units, bloating his impressive per-36 numbers.

But Memphis’ cardinal sin was their simply pathetic recovery of NBA Draft equity. The Sixers laid it plain for the entire league: the draft is how you rebuild effectively, especially in a small market. Already out multiple picks over the next few years — again, during a rebuild — Memphis could not pry any more than a 2024 second-rounder away from Toronto. Chris Wallace had better pray he still has a job by the time that pick is of any help to his team.

That’s Gas-All

And so, a proud era ends unceremoniously in Memphis. Grizzlies fans had a member of the Gasol family steering their pivot for damn near two decades. Marc in particular presided over the team’s most successful campaigns, himself perhaps the franchise’s greatest player ever.

While of little consolation now, it is perhaps worth noting the trade that shipped Pau Gasol out and brought Marc in also looked like a total disaster initially. Time will tell how this deal shapes the Grizzlies’ rebuild, and the decision could age well.

Next. Memphis Grizzlies News: Omri Casspi Waived to Make Room on Roster. dark

But for now, it certainly looks like the Memphis Grizzlies came up on the short end of this deal. Not only did they trade a franchise icon, the pieces they got back make little sense for a rebuilding franchise. Hopefully when the team inevitably deals Mike Conley, they learn from their mistake.

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