Warriors Rumors: Marc Gasol Interests Golden State Amid Raptors Buzz
The Golden State Warriors have emerged as a suitor for free-agent center Marc Gasol amid rumors that his old team, the Toronto Raptors, wants him to return.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski revealed the Warriors' interest Sunday, shortly after tweeting that the Raptors were "working to convince" Gasol to come back to Toronto.
Gasol, 35, averaged 7.5 points and 6.3 rebounds during an injury-shortened 2019-20 campaign that saw him miss 28 regular-season contests. The Spaniard's decorated 12-year NBA career includes three All-Star Game appearances, a pair of All-NBA team nods and the 2012-13 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
Interest in Gasol also includes the Los Angeles Lakers, per Marc Stein of the New York Times. However, Stein noted that the Lakers "face much tougher financial constraints" after agreeing to deals with Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
The Warriors could use another big man to round out their frontcourt. They added Memphis center James Wiseman in the draft but don't have a clear answer to round out the center rotation on their roster. Gasol could be that player and average 20-25 minutes per game while working with Wiseman in a mentorship role.
Toronto faces the prospect of losing Gasol and fellow center Serge Ibaka in free agency. Ibaka has already left town for the Clippers, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.
Gasol played a key role in the team's run to the 2018-19 championship after joining Toronto midseason following a trade from the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Lakers have a frontcourt hole after losing center Dwight Howard to free agency. They retained JaVale McGee, but Gasol could fill Howard's role, split time with McGee and play 20-plus minutes per night. He'd also help spread the floor better in L.A., as he notably shot 38.5 percent from three-point range last year.
Gasol ultimately has his choice of contending suitors at his disposal, and he'd be a great fit anywhere he went.
