Memphis Grizzlies: 3 players most likely to be traded in 2018-19

2. Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol has been in Memphis long before he landed in the NBA and has been with the Grizzlies since 2008, which makes it all the more painful he’s on this list.

This past season saw the Spaniard put up 17.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, the norm for Gasol after years of development.

With a player option for next season, he will almost certainly test the free agent market in the summer of 2019 and given how well he’s produced over the last few seasons, there will likely be at least one team looking to give him big money.

Despite being a fan favorite in Memphis, it doesn’t really make much sense to give Gasol a max contract — or something close to it — given how low the team’s ceiling is and the direction they should be heading to.

While it certainly would hurt the fanbase, he has been sought after by quite a few teams over the last few seasons, and there may be some willing to part with a nice collection of talent and picks, enough to entice the Grizzlies to pull the trigger on a deal.

Maybe Gasol would be willing to take a massive pay cut to remain with the only NBA team he’s ever known, but in all likelihood, he’ll look elsewhere for more money and a chance at a title.

For a team whose postseason runs seem to have all but expired, Memphis should do the smart thing and part ways with its franchise player and get a head start on what will likely be a long rebuild.