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Los Angeles Lakers: Top 10 Free Agency Options

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) posts up against Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) posts up against Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) warms up before the start of the game against the Golden State Warriors in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) warms up before the start of the game against the Golden State Warriors in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Marc Gasol, UFA

Position: Center

Age: 30

Experience: 7th Season

Slash Line: .494/.176/.795

Season Averages: 33.2 MPG, 17.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.6 BPG, 0.9 SPG

The general belief around the NBA is that the Memphis Grizzlies will find a way to re-sign Marc Gasol. As the history of free agency has proven, however, nothing is set in stone until it’s set in stone.

If Mitch Kupchak and the Los Angeles Lakers can land Gasol, they should do everything in their power to get a deal done.

This wouldn’t be the first time the Lakers pulled a Gasol away from the Grizzlies. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol won a pair of NBA championships and made three Finals appearances after executing a trade that included Marc Gasol.

While his brother Pau is and was more of an offensive guru, Marc is a former Defensive Player of the Year. Just don’t think he’s afraid to take over offensively:

Gasol led the Grizzlies to the 2013 Western Conference Finals and could do the same in 2015.

Per NBA.com, Gasol finished the 2014-15 regular season at No. 6 in the NBA in points from the post per game. Defensively, he plays a Manuel Neuer style that limits his statistics but alters outcomes.

Gasol patrols the paint, but he’ll also flash out to the perimeter to pick up ball-handlers and disrupt the pick-and-roll. He’ll block shots when they’re sent his way, but generally speaking, he’s more of a deterrent than a shot-blocker.

There aren’t many players who can take over games on both ends; Gasol is one of them. That makes him target No. 1 for the Lakers in 2015.

Next: Do the Los Angeles Clippers have what it takes to hang a banner in 2015?

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