The NBA free agent class for 2015 has some big names and Marc Gasol will be one of the prime targets and teams like the NY Knicks, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs could be options for the big man over a return to the Memphis Grizzlies on what would likely be a max contract.
Gasol is heading towards unrestricted free agency and while it's likely he will stay in Memphis, all reports have Gasol hitting free agency this summer over signing an extension before that. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Lakers and the Knicks have cleared out cap space and will chase Gasol, while the Celtics also will have cap space and see him as a potential target. The San Antonio Spurs also could be a wild card in the chase for Gasol.
According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Spurs may look at Gasol as a prime option to pair with Kawhi Leonard, who will be a restricted free agent this summer. The Spurs may lose Tim Duncan to retirement along with Manu Ginobili and that would open up cap space and a leadership void for the team that Gasol could help fill. The team often does not make big splashes in free agency, but the team would like to keep Leonard if they can.
Deveney adds that the team also could target Jimmy Butler if Leonard leaves, but he is also a restricted free agent the Bulls plan on keeping him at all costs. Gasol has been one of the best big men in the NBA over the past few seasons and he has won defensive player of the year. Gasol was a starter in the All-Star game and he is averaging a career high 17 points this season with eight rebounds per game. Gasol is as consistent as anyone in the league and that is why he will get some attention on the market.
The Grizzlies will be trying to ensure that Gasol stays in Memphis and it may take a max contract to get that done. The team will have to compete with the Lakers and Knicks, who can offer a big contract, but not as much as the Grizzlies can. The NY Post write earlier in the season that the Knicks want to target Gasol over any other player, but they also know he may not end up leaving Memphis. The Knicks have Greg Monroe as a backup plan and they also may try and target LaMarcus Aldridge, who is not expected to leave Portland.
The Knicks shut Carmelo Anthony down earlier this season and now the team is hoping they can win the draft lottery. Gasol said after playing in New York this season that he has not ruled out any teams in free agency, as he has not thought much about this summer yet. Gasol said that his main priority is getting Memphis deep into the playoffs and right now they are once again looking like one of the best teams in the west.
