Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol will have his pick of the litter when he becomes a free agent after the season. Teams reportedly planning to pursue him include the New York Knicks, the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.
All signs point to Gasol re-signing with Memphis after the season, but that won't stop teams from trying to sign the two-time All-Star.
New York has coveted Gasol for a while, and team president Phil Jackson is expected to pull out all stops in trying to get him to the Big Apple. Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler confirmed on Wednesday that that was still the case, writing: "The Knicks have a laundry list of guys they'd love to sign, the top being Memphis big man Marc Gasol."
Kyler also reported the Lakers, the Celtics and the Detroit Pistons plan to at least inquire about Gasol, but all three teams know landing him is a longshot.
The most interesting part of Kyler's report, though, was the bit about San Antonio.
"The Spurs have a target list and it includes many of the same names other teams like - Gasol being the biggest of the bunch," he wrote. "The Spurs' plan to be at Gasol's doorstep at 12:01 on July 1, with the offer to be part of the future of the Spurs."
The biggest question for San Antonio is whether veteran Tim Duncan will return next season. According to Kyler, veteran Manu Ginobili will likely leave if Duncan does. Although the Spurs don't typically spend big in free agency, the retirement of Duncan would give the team a reason to go all-out for a talented center.
While the Spurs have the allure of coach Gregg Popovich and a winning franchise, as Kyler and other NBA writers have pointed out, it looks unlikely Gasol leaves Memphis.
