Marc Gasol would accept a trade if Grizzlies want to go that route
USA Today
The Memphis Grizzlies are struggling. The once-promising team led by Mike Conley and Marc Gasol are now among the worst squads in the NBA. They’re sporting an 8-19 record with no signs of turning things around this season.
Along with the team’s current struggles, there’s been a lot of controversy surrounding Memphis. Most notably the firing of head coach David Fizdale. Gasol was at the center of this controversy with many believing his benching in the fourth quarter of a game earlier this season result in the coach being fired.
The veteran center was happy about the benching and made that be known. Now Gasol’s future also hangs in the balance as his time in Memphis may be coming to an end as he would accept a trade if the team approached him with that scenario, as he told ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
“I have a responsibility to this city,” Gasol says. “I’m not gonna quit, no matter what.” What if Memphis fell 30 games under .500? Gasol shakes his head. “I would want to see how we got there — what the process is,” Gasol says. “But as long as [owner] Robert [Pera] wants me here, my teammates want me here, they think I’m part of the solution — and not part of the problem — that’s all I need.” (Gasol still denies he asked for Fizdale to be fired, though the tension between them was real, sources say.)
If the team came to him with a trade, Gasol would accept it. “If they think it is best, I would do anything for this franchise,” Gasol says.
Trade Deadline
At this point, the playoffs seem to be a pipe dream for the Grizzlies this season. Conley continues to deal with injury issues which have kept him off the floor while the team’s brass may be preparing for an extensive rebounding process in Memphis.
If the team intends to start over, Gasol would be a primary trade chip which could bring back a sizable trade package to help the rebuilding process. The Grizzlies will have until Feb. 8, the NBA trade deadline, to find a deal for Gasol if that’s the route they choose to go in.
