Memphis Grizzlies Re-Sign Marc Gasol: 7 Bold Predictions for His 4-Year Deal

On Monday, Marc Gasol agreed to a four-year, $57.7 million deal to stay with the Memphis Grizzlies, according to The Commercial Appeal. Now all the speculation of Gasol going elsewhere can be put to rest. Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley can stop repeating himself every time someone asks him if Gasol will remain with the Grizzlies.

Now all that is left is to prepare for the season. Gasol is ready to get started after being forced to miss the beginning of Grizzlies practice.

Inquiring minds must be wondering if he was worth the deal. Players are never quite worth their contracts, no matter what anyone says about player value. However, Gasol has as much value as the other two major centers who were on the free agent market, Nene and Tyson Chandler. Gasol is younger and more versatile than those two players. Additionally, he's a better scorer.

At any rate, many will anticipate what will come of Gasol's next four years. Read along for some predictions.

Gasol Slams on Mikki Moore in His First Practice

Among the Grizzlies camp invitees is Mikki Moore, a 12-year NBA veteran who didn't play last season and is looking to jump on with Memphis. While he might not even hang on with the team until the start of the season, he'll sure have a few memories in his stay.

Gasol will give him one of those memories. In the first practice, Gasol will go in especially fired up. In a five-on-five scrimmage, Gasol will take a pass from Mike Conley, spin around and jam in Moore's face. As Moore shakes off the posterization, he'll be reminded of who he's matched up with.

For Gasol, it'll be the exclamation mark at the end of the first sentence of the new deal.

ESPN Picks the Grizzlies to Lose in the First Round of the NBA Playoffs

The Grizzlies might have beaten the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs last season. They might have pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the Western Conference Semifinals. The Grizzlies might have locked up Gasol and their other three key players, Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay and Mike Conley.

None of that will earn the Grizzlies respect from ESPN. ESPN will stick with the predominant powers in the conference, picking the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers to go to the Western Conference Finals, and the Lakers to go to the NBA Finals. Also, ESPN will predict the Grizzlies to lose in the first round of the playoffs.

Certain factors come into play. First, Memphis isn't a huge market like Los Angeles or Dallas.  Second, ESPN personalities probably have many more loyalties with the Lakers than the Grizzlies.  Third, ESPN will be fixated on the stars with the Lakers. Pau Gasol will cross their minds far more often than Marc Gasol will.

Gasol Will Have 20 Double-Doubles and 2 Triple-Doubles in 2011-12

Gasol will flex his versatile skill set in the coming season. He had 14 double-doubles last season and has 59 on his career. He'll top the total from last season, totaling 20 double-doubles, as he grabs rebounds a bit more often than last season.

Also, Gasol will hit the triple-double honor for the first time in his career this season. He'll put up 10 assists in a couple instances along with double-digits in points and rebounds. Gasol has put up 10 assists once before, and he has the capability to pass, having averaged 2.5 assists per game last season.

Projected 2011-12 Numbers

Projected stats: 14.2 PPG, 9 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 2.6 APG, 55.0 FG%, 74.5 FT%

Gasol will have a season that is closer to his 2009-10 numbers when he averaged career highs in scoring (14.3) and rebounding (9.3). His field goal percentage will be a bit above his career mark (.545). His blocks per game mark will be the same as last season.

This projection sees Gasol making progress as a player. He'll continue to develop as a shooter.  Also, he'll build his rebounding acumen.

Gasol and Zach Randolph Both Average 10 Rebounds Per Game in 2012-13

Gasol and Zach Randolph make a great combination in the post. They combined for 19.2 rebounds per game in 2010-11 and 21.0 rebounds per game in 2009-10. 

Within two seasons, the Grizzlies rebounding duo will be very close in rebounding. They'll each pull down 10 rebounds per game. Gasol will pull down 10.2 rebounds per game in his first season averaging double-digits in that category. Meanwhile, Randolph will pull down 10.9 rebounds per game.

It'll be a happy rebounding party in Memphis.

Dupes Carlos Boozer in the 2013 NBA Finals

The Grizzlies will make the NBA Finals in a couple of years. They will find themselves facing the Derrick Rose-led Chicago Bulls. Hollins will draw a mismatch set with Gasol posting up on Carlos Boozer. Gasol will back Boozer down, and then dump a shot over Boozer while Boozer falls asleep.

Granted, this won't be the most difficult play, since Boozer isn't the most prolific defender.

Hollins will run Gasol in this set several times in the series in moments with Randolph on the bench. It'll help the Grizzlies keep things close with the Bulls. However, Rose will ensure that the Bulls claim their first title since the Michael Jordan era.

Four-Year Accomplishments

Gasol will progress steadily in his four-year contract. He'll average 15 points per game in 2013-14 and 2014-15. Also, he'll average 10 rebounds per game twice in the next four years.

Gasol will set a few new franchise records. He'll break his franchise record for field goal percentage in a season. Also, in three years, he'll break Pau Gasol's single-season blocks record of 169.

In his fourth year, he'll finally be recognized for his defensive acumen, earning an NBA All-Defensive Second Team honor.