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NBA Trade Deadline: Every Team’s Most Untouchable Asset

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) drives to the basket past New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) drives to the basket past New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol

Some have hypothesized that the Memphis Grizzlies overpaid to retain a 31-year-old Marc Gasol. He’s likely to miss the remainder of the 2015-16 NBA regular season with a foot injury, and had previously failed to recapture the form that earned him an All-NBA First Team nod in 2014-15.

To give up on Gasol after this season simply wouldn’t make sense for a team that’s building its entire future around him.

Gasol is a two-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA honoree with a Defensive Player of the Year award to his name. The numbers are what they are, but Gasol is one of the rare players who finds a way to contribute in virtually every phase of the game.

Not only is he a versatile and dominant defensive player, but he’s a well-rounded offensive contributor who can facilitate, go to the post, operate from the elbow, and convert from midrange.

Starting point guard Mike Conley will enter unrestricted free agency this coming summer, and Memphis may lose him to another team. Jeff Green will be a free agent, as well, but the Grizzlies have the foundation for consistent postseason appearances by simply employing Gasol.

The 31-year-old may be injured, but he is the foundation of Memphis’ success—something it hopes to build upon in future seasons.

Next: Miami Heat