The end of an era
Memphis looking to move on from Gasol, Conley
Some things just go together: Peanut butter and jam; Batman and Robin; coffee and donuts; Mike Conley Jr. and Marc Gasol.
The standout point guard and centre have been playing together for years in Memphis. They’ve taken the court together 633 times, by far the most of any current NBA teammates (Steph Curry and Klay Thompson have played 471 games together for Golden State, while Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook played 510 together for the Thunder franchise).
But now the two Grizzlies icons are reportedly on the trade block, as the floundering franchise realizes that its window of competing for a title has closed. Jaren Jackson Jr., currently being tutored by Kevin Garnett, is the future and is nearly half the age of Gasol and Conley Jr.
The Grizzlies probably should have moved Gasol last season when Conley Jr. was sidelined for much of the year due to injury. But better late than never.
ESPN reported on Wednesday that the Grizzlies “ownership and management have decided they’ve reached an organizational crossroads and are preparing to weigh deal scenarios on one or both of their cornerstone veterans between now and the Feb. 7 trade deadline — and perhaps into the off-season.”
Gasol, 33, was an elite two-way player in his prime, while Conley, 31, is one of the best players to never make an all-star game and is having a strong bounceback year, but still is owed a fair bit of money and has long battled injuries. Gasol could test free agency this summer, but it’s believed to be more likely he picks up his $25.5-million contract option.
With losses piling up, Memphis has fallen close to the cellar in the Western Conference.
That’s actually probably a good thing, as it has hastened trade talks, needed since a rebuild is long overdue and it also might allow Memphis to keep its 2019 pick, since it is owed to Boston, but Top 8 protected this year.
ESPN reported that both players met with ownership, but did not request a trade.