2. Marc Gasol
1. Mike Conley
The Memphis Grizzlies have lost 22 of their last 27 games, so it’s no surprise they’re finally considering dealing away Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. The problem is, their value has depreciated considerably now that both are in their 30s.
Conley can provide a winning mindset, respectable defense, playmaking and scoring for a team in need of an established point guard. Gasol is still one of the league’s most well-rounded bigs, and though his defense and athleticism aren’t what they used to be, he’s still a terrific passer, intelligent player and respectable stretch-5.
It’s time for the Grizz to close the door on the last vestiges of the Grit-N-Grind era, and it’s time for the remaining cornerstones from those good ol’ days to join a more competitive team and fight in the playoffs a few more times before what’s left of their primes is over.
Conley is averaging 20.1 points and 6.3 assists per game this year, but he’s 31 years old and is owed $32.5 million for next season, with a $34.5 million early termination option for 2020-21 that he’d be foolish to opt out of. It’ll be impossible for him to live up to that contract, even if two more years of wear and tear don’t take a toll on his injury-prone body.
Gasol, who is posting 15.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per game on 35.6 percent shooting from deep, is 33 years old now. His $24.1 million salary isn’t impossible to move, but his $25.6 million player option for next season might give some teams pause.
In any case, both Grizzlies stars desperately need off this sinking ship before it submerges into a youth movement centered around Jaren Jackson Jr. They’re both available, but more than likely, Memphis’ stubborn loyalty is going to cost them in deals that should’ve happened last year at the latest.