Marc Gasol signs a tentative four year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies – NBA Update
Memphis Grizzlies restricted free agent Marc Gasol has decided to stay put. Late on Monday night, the Spanish centre announced his decision via twitter.
"Can’t wait to get on the court with all my teammates!". He said on the micro blogging network.
The announcement was later confirmed by general manager Chris Wallace;
"Marc has been a Memphis basketball player ever since his high school days at Lausanne, and we're excited for him to continue his blossoming career with the Grizzlies,"
The development comes after the Houston Rockets had offered a $ 55 million four year deal to the seven foot centre on Sunday. Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley while talking to NBA.com on the same day had made it abundantly clear
that letting go of Marc Gasol was not an option.
“We’re keeping Marc,” Heisley said. “We can’t afford to let him go … Marc and his agent have to decide what they want to do. But we would definitely match that if that came up to us.”
He was true to his word.
As per the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the Grizzlies had three days to match the offer and they didn’t waste any time. According to Commercial Appeal, the franchise has offered Marc nearly $ 58 million for a four
year deal.
After two average years, Marc finally blossomed up to his potential last season when together with star power Zach Randolph, he formed one of the most intimidating low post duos in the league and marshalled the Grizzlies to one
h**l of a journey.
The Grizzlies, after finishing as the 8th seeds in the Western Conference, shot down the mighty San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs and then gave the Oklahoma City Thunder a run for their money before
finally bowing out in the game-7. Gasol raised his game to a new high in the playoffs and finished with an average of 15.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.
The Grizzlies at the start of the off season made it very clear that would build up on last season’s momentum and vowed to keep their core players intact. Gasol is one of the cornerstones of that foundation and letting him go would
have been a big folly.
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