NBA free agency is right around the corner which means several top players are preparing to determine whether or not they want to stay put with their respective teams or test their value on the open market. This year there will be a run on big men as several teams are looking for top rebounders to help next season. Marc Gasol is sitting at the top of the list as he prepares to become an unrestricted free agent. Several teams have come out saying he is at the top of their list, but could the Memphis Grizzlies win the sweepstakes?
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Gasol is expected to stay with the Memphis Grizzlies, but no final decision has been made just yet. The Grizzlies have already stressed that they fully intend to retain Gasol with a max contract, but the center has hinted that he would like to see what other teams have to offer. According to Gasol, the city is not as important as the roster is.
"I haven't weighed anything yet," said Gasol, via the Los Angeles Daily News. "We'll sit down and have a human eye-to-eye conversation. We'll see what we're looking for the next four or five years of my life with this team, different teams and my family. Whatever decision I make, it would be the best."
The Grizzlies can offer Gasol the biggest contract out of any other team which could play a big role in his decision. If Gasol is off the market quickly, there will be a lot of competition for players like Greg Monroe, Brook Lopez, DeAndre Jordan and Paul Millsap. The Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks have all been linked to top defenders and Gasol getting picked up early means competition will be high.
There could also be a run on trade deals for defenders as well. According to the New York Post, the Brooklyn Nets are shopping young center Mason Plumlee. The Sacramento Kings may or may not be listening to offers for DeMarcus Cousins while teams like the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets push draft day deals. The Mavericks have even tossed around the idea of a sign-and-trade for Jordan involving Tyson Chandler.
Gasol is considered the best available right now and if Memphis wins the race to retain him, several teams will be back at square one. His departure from the open market could really push players like Lopez and Roy Hibbert to opt out and see how much money they can acquire.
