If soon-to-be free agent Marc Gasol decides not to re-sign with the Memphis Grizzlies, the San Antonio Spurs reportedly would become the frontrunners to land him. While the New York Knicks may not be the top contenders to sign Gasol in free agency, team president Phil Jackson apparently still has a chance to change his mind.
Many in the NBA community believe Gasol will re-sign with the Grizzles after the season, when he becomes a free agent. Although Gasol hasn't explicitly committed to doing so, everything he's said this season suggests his heart is in Memphis. If something were to happen to cause Gasol to explore free agency seriously, though, San Antonio reportedly would be where he most likely ends up.
"It's believed that the Spurs have targeted Gasol as their big man of the future and they may present the only real threat to Memphis," Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler wrote Thursday.
Kyler linked San Antonio to Gasol earlier in March, suggesting the Spurs see Gasol as the replacement for the 38-year-old Tim Duncan. For Gasol, the allure of playing for coach Gregg Popovich, who has a history of doing wonders with talented big men, and a winning franchise would likely be his biggest draw.
Although the Spurs will have around $20 million in salary cap space this summer, they'll also have a handful of players - such as Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Marco Belinelli - who are up for new contracts.
As for New York, multiple reports have indicated Jackson's top target in free agency in is the 7-foot-1 Gasol. Boding well for New York is Gasol, contrary to a report from Sheridan Hoops, hasn't ruled out playing in the Big Apple.
"I haven't ruled anything out because I haven't thought about anything so it would be (premature)," Gasol told reporters Monday, via ESPN. "The reports and stuff like that, I don't know where they come from because in my mind I haven't thought about it. I have no (idea) how they can go there. I don't know. ... We're in the final stretch of the regular season and we want to get in a good feeling for the playoffs so, trust me, I'm not worrying or thinking about those things yet."
Other free agents reportedly being eyed by Jackson include Rajon Rondo, Goran Dragic, Greg Monroe, Kevin Love and Tobias Harris.
