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The Memphis Grizzlies got their man (as if there was ever any doubt).
As the Western Conference has gone from stacked to borderline unfair, the Grizzlies have done their part by agreeing to a five-year, $110-million deal with beloved free-agent center Marc Gasol, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
The deal reportedly includes an early termination option after the fourth year in 2018-19.
The 7-foot-1 30-year-old chose not to engage in the customary courting process often seen with other top free agents. Instead, Gasol opted for more low-key negotiations - Grizzlies executives visited their veteran leader in his home country of Spain right as the summer's free-agency period opened for business July 1.
While speculation swirled in June that other teams might have been in the running for Gasol's services, no other club really ever stood a chance. Although rumors linked the seven-year pro to the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks, he never scheduled any meetings with any of these teams (or any others).
Gasol was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the No. 48 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, and was traded to the Grizzlies in 2008 as part of a package for his older brother, Pau.
The Lakers reportedly had interest in bringing back Marc this summer, eight years after drafting him. However, familial loyalty guided his decision to reject the Lakers' overtures.
Gasol has career averages of 14.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, three assists, and 1.6 blocks, and a cumulative PER of 18.7. The 2014-15 campaign was his best overall, as he racked up 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 blocks, and a potent 21.7 PER.
A two-time Olympic silver medalist, Gasol has been selected to the NBA All-Star Game twice (2012, 2015), named to the All-NBA First Team once (2015), and was crowned the Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.
With the Dallas Mavericks strengthening their roster, the Spurs amassing a ridiculous amount of frontline weapons, and the Golden State Warriors aiming to repeat, the Grizzlies fortify themselves among the top five teams in the west by securing Gasol.
