NBA Free Agents: Marc Gasol About to Make Way Too Much Money

On the unrestricted free-agent market, there are a couple of big men who are going to get paid, namely Tyson Chandler and Nene.

On the restricted free-agent market, there's at least one big man who's going to get paid: Memphis Grizzles center Marc Gasol.

Gasol has developed into one of the better centers in the NBA over the last couple of seasons, and there are some who argue that he's an even better player than his older brother, Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol. Naturally, the Grizzlies would like nothing more than to keep Gasol around.

And they plan to. Per a report from the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, the Grizzlies are going to match any offer sheet for Gasol if they have to. He's a big part of their plans for the future, and they're not about to let him walk.

Which is exactly why they should be concerned about this bit of news from The Daily's Dan Wolken:

I have to say that it struck me as a little odd that the Pacers would be so intent on signing Gasol away from the Grizzlies. Roy Hibbert is a pretty good young center, so you can't help but wonder whether or not they're better off applying their money elsewhere.

Either way, Wolken is right about the Pacers' supposed aggressiveness putting the Grizzlies in a tough spot. It's going to make it that much more difficult for the Grizzlies to keep Gasol, as they may not have the finances or the wiggle room to match the Pacers' offer.

Regardless of where Gasol ends up, it's clear that he's about to get paid a handsome sum. No doubt many will approve, as surely Gasol is worth a handsome sum.

Personally, I'm on the fence about the idea. Gasol is good, but he's a smidge over-hyped. It's worth noting that he actually took a step back statistically in the 2010-2011 season, but he redeemed himself by posting great numbers in the playoffs. As a result, people are thinking the 26-year-old Gasol has plenty of upside.

Either that, or this is yet another bad NBA contract waiting to happen. The question now is which team is going to give it to him.

So it goes with big men who manage to separate themselves from the rabble. Gasol isn't the first, and he won't be the last.

Oh well. Either way Gasol is going to be a key puzzle piece. If he ends up staying with the Grizzlies, they'll be a player in the Western Conference. If he ends up with the Pacers, they'll be a player in the Eastern Conference.

Boy does it feel good to be talking about this stuff again.