Memphis Grizzlies: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 Media Day

4. A reaffirmed commitment to Marc Gasol

GM Chris Wallace doubled down on the Grizzlies’ commitment to star center Marc Gasol, telling Grizzly Bear Blues, “We’re very happy with Marc….He’s got a unique identity here.”

That may not seem like much, but given Gasol’s summer comments questioning the direction of the team and declaring his desire to win in the present, Wallace’s remark is something of an olive branch of good will.

Let’s be clear, there was never any real rift between Gasol or the Grizzlies front office, but with rumblings of discontent brewing, and his name swirling in trade rumors, a concrete commitment to Gasol is meaningful.

Maybe it’s naive to think Wallace would say anything but nice things about one of his two best players. That certainly wouldn’t be the smartest move from a PR perspective. Still, an affirmative comment for the public record is, at worst, a signal that things are the same as they’ve been all summer, which is to say, seemingly pretty good.

The Grizzlies need Gasol playing at his best to have any hope of making the playoffs, and that means treating him with the kind of respect that his talent dictates. This was an easy opportunity to do so, and they handled it well.