New York Knicks president Phil Jackson's top target in free agency this summer reportedly could be Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol. With an abundance of cap space for the 2015 season, the Memphis Commercial Appeal is the latest to report Jackson as having an eye on Gasol.
The Knicks are still far from being a title contender. For the first time since taking over the organization, though, Jackson will have the financial flexibility in July to pursue a big-name free agent. There've been murmurs about Jackson wanting to bring Gasol to the Big Apple, and on Sunday Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal confirmed the Spaniard is the ideal center to operate in Jackson's triangle offense.
RealGM quoted Tillery as saying Gasol is the "quintessential center to play in the triangle offense," falling in line with previous reports of Jackson wanting to sign him in the offseason.
Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders also named Gasol earlier in the month as an idea fit for Jackson's offense.
"Marc Gasol immediately comes to mind. He would be perfect alongside Carmelo Anthony and he would thrive in the triangle offense," Kennedy wrote Oct. 15. "If I'm Phil Jackson, he's my number one target. I'd have Pau Gasol calling him every single day telling him how great Phil was and how it helped his career."
It's uncertain whether Gasol would actually consider leaving Memphis, though. He appears likely to re-sign in the summer and get a max contract. While the Knicks could offer him a four-year max contract, the Collective Bargaining Agreement makes it so Memphis can offer him an extra year and the most money.
One advantage Jackson does have is his relationship with Marc's brother, Pau, who played for Jackson with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Marc is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July.
