Grizzlies' Marc Gasol: Cleared to play

Gasol (foot) was officially cleared Friday to join the Grizzlies for the start of training camp, Ronald Tillery of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

Analysis:

After being diagnosed with a broken right foot in early February and missing the remainder of the Grizzlies' season, Gasol spent most of the summer rehabbing the injury, which also prevented him from suiting up for Spain during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. With camp about a week away from beginning, it appears Gasol has reached the finish line in his recovery and shouldn't face any limitations in practice, but that doesn't necessarily mean he won't face any restrictions when the season begins. Tillery suggests that Gasol could be placed on a minutes cap early on in the campaign, given how difficult it's been historically for big men to bounce back from foot fractures. At full strength, few centers are as good on both ends of the floor as Gasol, but an improving Grizzlies roster could lessen the burden placed on him this season. In addition to re-signing Mike Conley on a max contract this offseason, the Grizzlies brought in Chandler Parsons, who will presumably absorb some of the scoring responsibilities that would have previously fallen entirely to Gasol.