NBA Free Agents 2011: Marc Gasol and Memphis Grizzlies Make a Deal

Marc Gasol has inked a four-year, $58 million contract, as The Commercial Appeal reported via Twitter, cementing the full return of the rotation for the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Michael Heisley had said numerous times that the Grizzlies would match any contract offered to Gasol by other teams. A day a deal crossed Gasol's path, Heisley and the Grizzlies gave Gasol an offer he couldn't refuse.

On Sunday, the Houston Rockets offered Gasol a four-year, $55 million deal. That was after the Rockets failed to pull in Pau Gasol when the Chris Paul trade fell apart. 

After letting former Grizzlies center Hasheem Thabeet go and having a roster with three rookies at center, the Rockets were desperate for a big man.

With the Grizzlies locking up Gasol, the Rockets will have to continue their search.

Gasol ecstatically tweeted the announcement.

"I'm proud to say we have reached a tentative agreement...can't wait to get on the court with my teammates," Gasol remarked.

Assuredly, Gasol's teammates share his sentiments.

"He's got a good foundation here," Mike Conley told The Commercial Appeal. "We love him here.  He's our final piece, so I hope we get him back."

In the same article, Rudy Gay said, "Obviously, we need Marc. There are no other Gasol brothers out there."

Gasol is already becoming a major front court payer for the Grizzlies. He averaged 11.7 points and seven rebounds per game last season. In the playoffs, Gasol upped his contribution to 15 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. On his career he averages 12.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. 

In 2009-10, Gasol set a Grizzlies record by shooting 58.1 percent from the field.

Gasol is currently the only center under contract for the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are waiting for Hamed Haddadi to take them up their $2 million qualifying offer.

With their young core of Gasol, Gay and Conley, along with Zach Randolph, cemented, the Grizzlies are set to build on their playoff run from last season.