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Memphis Grizzlies fans shouldn't take the lack of a formal announcement regarding the future of Marc Gasol as a bad sign.
The Grizzlies have been in Spain this week to hammer out a new contract with the unrestricted free-agent center, and there's hardly been a whisper suggesting Gasol will look elsewhere. He didn't schedule meetings with any other teams, and it's always been expected he'd sign at some point this week.
Any perceived delay is no cause for alarm. The Grizzlies and Gasol are expected to seal their deal on Thursday, according to Marc Stein of ESPN, though it remains possible nothing is formalized until Friday, or even the weekend. Barcelona has its share of distractions, after all.
Gasol has settled on a five-year maximum contract, according to Stein, putting to rest any question that he could sign a shorter-term max in order to hit free agency again when the cap spikes. A five-year max would pay Gasol $108.8 million, though that could nudge higher if the salary cap overshoots current estimates, as some anticipate.
He'll be 35 at the end of his deal, and while that carries some risk for the Grizzlies, the rising-cap environment serves to lessen the blow of the near $25 million Gasol will make in his final season. For the early years, it's more than fair value, as Gasol is one the game's premiere two-way centers, a former Defensive Player of the Year who can score inside, knock down mid-range jumpers, and create for teammates.
The two-time All-Star averaged a career-high 17.4 points this season, along with 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 blocks, all while shooting 49.4 percent and operating as the team's offensive fulcrum around the elbows.
