Memphis Grizzlies: Will Michael Heisley Re-Sign Center Marc Gasol?

Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies is currently a restricted free agent, meaning that the Memphis Grizzlies can match any offer that Gasol receives from other teams. One important side note is that with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) not yet finalized, and with signing both Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph to long-term contracts the past year, will Memphis keep Gasol? If the salary cap becomes limited by the new CBA ruling, then all teams will have to change their plans, especially if a “hard” salary cap is brought into the fold.

The center position in the NBA has changed from being one of true size to becoming more of a hybrid one. Gone are the big men such as Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Shaquille O’Neal, as today it is very difficult to find a scoring big man without overpaying to add onto a NBA roster. For example, the San Antonio Spurs after David Robinson retired back in 2003 would use Tim Duncan to play both positions depending on their team schedule.

Teams such as the Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, New Yor Knicks and Orlando Magic are waiting for the NBA lockout to get resolved in order to possibly make pitches to Gasol and other center candidate free agents. Having already committed $82 million for the next five years to Gay and $84M for the next six years to Randolph, the question then becomes how much will they offer Gasol? The Grizzlies have been a team that has been on the rise in the Western Conference for the past couple of seasons, and losing Gasol might set them backwards.

There was a report written during this past season where Pau Gasol, who spent six-and-a-half seasons in Memphis before being traded to the L.A. Lakers, has told his younger brother to leave Memphis and go elsewhere as a free agent. Marc Gasol did not comment on what his brother told him, and mentioned that when the time comes, he will think about free agency.

However, the question remains: what if a team puts a big offer in front of Gasol? Should the Grizzlies match the offer, or work to complete a sign-and-trade where they can get some pieces in return for Gasol? If the Grizzlies do a sign-and-trade involving him, then it will be interesting to see what the team that acquires him will be willing to give up to make the deal work. These are questions that owner Michael Heisley will face whenever the current lockout is over. Heisley, who has made some questionable decisions in the past (Pau Gasol, who was traded to the L.A. Lakers for cap relief after signing an extension), will be in the spotlight once again.

What final decision he makes will have a significant impact on the Grizzlies however.