NBA Free Agents: Grizzlies Match Rockets' Offer for Marc Gasol

Houston, we have a problem, a big problem.

The Houston Rockets offseason has been the definition of a disaster.  Going into this year, finding a legitimate starting center was their No. 1 need.  That gaping hole in their front line has gotten even more massive, though, and it continues to get more difficult for them to fill it.

Chuck Hayes, the Rockets starting center in 2011, agreed to join the Sacramento Kings this offseason.  Hayes’ departure isn’t an unrecoverable loss, but they must find a replacement or they’ll take a huge step back.

David Stern denied their acquisition of Pau Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers this past Thursday.  The determined New York Knicks then outbid the Rockets for Tyson Chandler.  And now, Nene looks destined to end up with the New Jersey Nets, who possess deeper pockets than Houston does.

That leaves Marc Gasol as the only top-notch free-agent center available.  Well, maybe in this situation a better word than leaves is left.  Marc Spears announced via Twitter on Sunday that: “Grizzlies expected to match four-year, $55 million offer sheet from the Rockets for RFA C Marc Gasol, source tells@YahooSports.”

Re-signing Gasol is a huge move for the Grizzlies.  Next to Zach Randolph, Memphis will boast one of the top big-men duos in the NBA.  Bringing the Spaniard back guarantees the Grizzlies’ return to the postseason.

If Memphis does indeed match the Rockets offer, Houston will struggle to meet Memphis in the playoffs this year.  Hasheem Thabeet is currently the only true center on their roster.  They won’t be able to compete in the paint without a seven-footer that weighs more than 225 pounds—yeah, Donatas Motiejunas, I’m looking at you.

Rockets GM Daryl Morey won’t be able to sleep until that major weakness is eliminated.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer. Follow him on Twitter.