Memphis Grizzlies Owner Says Team Will Keep Marc Gasol
Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has said it before, but on Tuesday he reiterated that the team will keep free agent center Marc Gasol.
Following the completion of his original three-year deal at the end of last season, Gasol has been the Grizzlies top offseason priority.
The NBA lockout prevented the Grizzlies from negotiating a new deal with Gasol. But with the league’s new collective bargaining agreement completed, Heisley intends to keep Gasol in a Memphis uniform for a very long time.
The Grizzlies’ center is expected to attract a lot of attention once the NBA’s free agency period begins on December 9. Some insiders expect Gasol to sign a new deal that pays between $10 and $14 million per year.
As was the case under the terms of the old CBA, if Gasol receives an offer sheet from another team, Memphis can match or exceed the offer by adding years and paying more money.
“Obviously, we want to sit down and try to make a deal with Marc,” Heisley said. “I’m committed to keeping him. I’m committed to winning a championship.”
Grizzlies’ general manager Chris Wallace has contacted Gasol’s agent Arn Tellem and both have agreed to meet in the coming days.
Resigning Gasol is critical to the Grizzlies growth following last season’s deep playoff run.
Memphis kept three of their core group of players last year, with Mike Conley, Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph all signing new contracts.
The Grizzlies are also working on bringing back Shane Battier and Hamed Haddadi, both of whom were contributors last season.
Memphis is also in the process of negotiating a deal with Josh Selby, the Grizzlies’ lone pick from this year’s draft.
