Entering his seventh season in the NBA, Marc Gasol has never played for any team other than the Memphis Grizzlies. But if the Grizz are unwilling to give their 2013 Defensive Player of the Year a max contract next summer, his brother Pau Gasol believes the New York Knicks are a possible destination for the Spanish star.
According to ESPNNewYork.com, Chicago Bulls forward Gasol told reporters before his season opener against the Knicks that it’s “possible” his brother winds up in New York as a free agent:
"“It’s a personal decision,” Pau Gasol said. “I talked to my brother enough about Phil [Jackson] that he knows what he brings to the table. I don’t know how much he’s involved with the team, really. He’s in an upstairs position, management position. He’s not on the court every day, so it’s something that [Marc] will consider when he gets to that point.”"
With Marc Gasol set to test free agency this summer, the Knicks actually make a ton of sense for both sides. New York isn’t expected to make any waves in the Eastern Conference playoffs this season, but they should have enough cap space next summer to sign Gasol to the max deal he’ll be seeking. As one of the best interior defenders in the league, Gasol would be an immediate improvement over any of the big men currently on New York’s roster (no offense, Samuel Dalembert).
With the Grizzlies, Gasol operates from the elbows and is more than capable as a passer, making him an ideal fit for Jackson’s triangle offense that’s being implemented with the Knicks. J.R. Smith may not understand the triangle just yet, but a smart player like Gasol would help Derek Fisher run a competent offense and he’d help Carmelo Anthony get easier shots as well.
There are definite advantages to playing in the East as well. In the West, the Grizzlies are just another tough playoff team with no real title hopes. In the East, a Knicks team with Melo and Gasol might have a shot at an NBA Finals appearance depending on how Jackson retools the roster next summer.
Last season with the Grizz, Gasol averaged 14.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Those may not seem like max numbers on paper, but a knee injury limited him to just 59 games and his ability to run an offense from the high elbow while anchoring a defense on the other end makes him a precious commodity for a rebuilding franchise like New York.
However, it should be noted that the Knicks would not be alone in their pursuit of Gasol, and there’s a very strong possibility that the only way Memphis’ star center chooses to leave is if the Grizzlies are unwilling to offer him a max deal. As of right now, there’s no indication that anyone other than the Grizzlies are the favorites to sign Gasol when he becomes a free agent on July 1.