Could Marc Gasol Take Duncan's Torch with San Antonio Spurs Next Summer?
San Antonio Spurs icon Tim Duncan hasn't announced whether he'll retire at the end of the 2014-15 campaign, but rest assured general manager R.C. Buford is preparing contingency plans. The five-time champion's contract comes to an end next summer, and he'll be 39 years old when it does.
"Well I think we're always considering [that future]," Buford told reporters in June when broached with the possibilities of guys like Duncan or head coach Gregg Popovich calling it quits. "I don't know that you'll know what the opportunity is [then].
"Hopefully you've built your program to be as flexible as it can be at the time that opportunities are created. But I can't predict when that will happen, nor know. When you have one of the great players of all time and one of the great coaches of all time, knowing how you're going to fill those shoes [is impossible] because you're not."
The organization reached an agreement on a multi-year extension with Popovich this summer, but there's no telling how much longer Duncan will play. Some expected him to go out on a high note after winning the Finals in June, and he's admitted the thought crossed his mind.
If this season is his last, Buford and Co. will immediately be tasked with executing Plan B: Replacing the irreplaceable.
And that's where Marc Gasol comes in.
Buried in an excellent discussion of Kawhi Leonard's future, USA Today's Sam Amick recently reported that, "The Spurs have big plans for this summer, among them the idea of replacing Duncan with a free agent such as Marc Gasol if 'The Big Fundamental' retires as expected."
The notion has been floated before, though—to this point—never attributed to any concrete sources.
Earlier this month, Grantland's Zach Lowe wrote that, "If we do say farewell to those two legends [Duncan and Manu Ginobili], R.C. Buford should be sharing some tapas with Marc Gasol at the stroke of midnight on July 1, though there will be lots of other big men available if Gasol decides to stick around in Memphis."
LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Monroe and Omer Asik are among the alternatives, and there may be more depending on how several player options pan out.
While there's no guarantee San Antonio would spend its hypothetical cap space, the franchise resisted an agreement on an extension with Leonard in order to limit his cap hold when free agency opens.
So whatever the organization does, it'll have to act fast.
Without Leonard's raise on the books, the Spurs could throw big money at someone of Gasol's ilk. But once another club signs Leonard to an offer sheet, San Antonio would only have three days to finish its other business before matching and likely going over the salary cap (as permitted by Leonard's Bird rights).
As 48 Minutes of Hell's Matthew Tynan recently put it, "You can get a lot done in free agency with an extra $9 million in your pocket, but San Antonio would have to act swiftly and deftly to make sure it all goes right."
If all does go right, it's entirely conceivable that Gasol ends up in silver and black.
But it remains uncertain whether the 29-year-old is seriously interested in leaving his Memphis Grizzlies, the team that acquired his draft rights from the Los Angeles Lakers via trade in 2008.
"You know my relationship with Memphis and my relationship with the Grizzlies," Gasol told The Commercial Appeal's Ronald Tillery in June. "I've always said Memphis is my home away from home. Robert [Pera, Grizzlies controlling owner] knows that. I know that. My teammates know that and that's all that matters.
"I live day to day but I don't see myself anywhere else. Only time will time. But I don't see a reason to change right now. Why would I change right now?"
There's more than familiarity in Memphis.
The Grizzlies have become a perennial dark horse, advancing to the semifinals in 2011 and conference finals in 2013. Gasol has built chemistry with a core including fellow big man Zach Randolph and point guard Mike Conley. Regularly among the league's very best defensive teams, it wouldn't be surprising for 2013's Defensive Player of the Year to stick around.
Even if he doesn't, there will be significant competition for his services.
CBSSports.com's Matt Moore noted in August that, "The Knicks have already immediately been put in the rumor mill as a suitor for Gasol. The Los Angeles Lakers...will have max cap room. Nearly every powerhouse with cap room will make a run...He'll be sought after, wooed, tempted."
Much will depend on what Gasol values. Like Memphis, the Spurs offer him a winning formula and dependable personnel. If he covets exposure, however, New York and Los Angeles clearly have their advantages.
ESPNNewYork.com's Ian Begley reported in October that Marc's brother—and Chicago Bulls forward—Pau, "told reporters...that it's 'possible' his brother could end up in the Big Apple."
"It's a personal decision," Pau added at the time. "I talked to my brother enough about Phil [Jackson] that he knows what he brings to the table. I don't know how much he's involved with the team, really. He's in an upstairs position, management position.
"He's not on the court every day, so it's something that [Marc] will consider when he gets to that point."
Besides the allure of Jackson, the Knicks also acquired fellow Spaniard Jose Calderon to run point this summer. He'll be under contract until 2017, and the organization will soon have the cap flexibility it needs in order to surround Carmelo Anthony with more talent.
While the Knicks seem to be mired in mediocrity at the moment, there's still time to turn this franchise around—and Gasol would certainly help.
So assuming Gasol entertains a change of scenery, and assuming a team like the Knicks doesn't capitalize on it first, then yes—the Spurs have a chance to add Gasol in our hypothetical post-Duncan landscape.
On paper, it's a union that makes a lot of sense.
The 265-pound center is a skilled defender and passer, a fundamentally sound post-presence not unlike Duncan. Neither player built his reputation on elite athleticism or above-the-rim ability. Gasol's unselfishness and willingness to operate within a team-centric system would make for a brilliant fit with Popovich's general philosophy.
For his career, Gasol's averaged 13.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest. He's tallied no fewer than 3.1 assists per game in each of his past three seasons. Though it's the intangibles that make him so appealing, there's no denying Gasol's ability to produce.
Spurs fans will imagine the possibilities for now, but lots of things have to happen before this scenario comes to fruition.
Will Duncan retire? Can Gasol tear himself away from Memphis? Would the Knicks or another third party have an upper hand in prying him away?
This much is certain. The Spurs won't have many opportunities to land a player of Gasol's caliber. Until his long-term status is finalized, expect San Antonio to be part of the conversation.
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