Marc Gasol is an unrestricted free agent and the best player available at his position this summer signing period. The Memphis Grizzlies big man hasn’t negotiated with any other NBA team, but his future still remains in doubt a little bit.
Reportedly, he’s getting close to signing a new contract with the Grizzlies worth over $100 million for five years. At least the two sides are talking. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Lebron James haven’t even started negotiating yet. Other than this difference, the two situations are somewhat similar.
Memphis Grizzlies Offseason Team Needs:
1. Re-sign Marc Gasol: Though it will certainly cost a pretty penny, the Grizzlies are expected to fend off other potential suitors in bigger markets and re-sign Marc Gasol. He has developed into one of the most productive big men in the NBA and forms a dynamic duo inside with Zach Randolph. Losing him to another team would be costly and force Memphis to look for a replacement in free agency.
2. Creator on the Wing: While the Grizzlies has a solid group of veterans on the wing, they are lacking a creator who can make things happen and help take some of the pressure off Mike Conley. If I were Memphis, I would try to deal Courtney Lee or Vince Carter and find an upgrade at shooting guard. A move like that could be the missing piece for this team to become a legitimate NBA title contender.
Read more Marc Gasol and Memphis Grizzlies offseason analysis at Walter Football
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Milwaukee to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft and the most accurate 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the internet (Yup, repeat champ… #humblebrag), and finished with the second most accurate 2013 NBA Mock Draft (nearly a three-peat.) You can follow him on Twitter at David_Kmiecik.
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