Grizzlies owner Pera says that team will retire Gasol’s number

Marc Gasol will forever have a place in Memphis Grizzlies history.

The franchise said goodbye to its long-time cornerstone Thursday after trading the center to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Miles and a 2024 second-round pick.

A day later, the team made the official announcement and paired it with a statement from owner Robert Pera that the Grizzlies will retire Gasol's jersey.

“Marc has been a dedicated teammate, star player and pillar of this team for the past 11 seasons," Pera said in the news release. "He plays with a heart and a passion for the game that helped carry this franchise to seven straight playoff appearances, but what Marc has done for this organization is about more than just basketball.

He was a part of a core group of players that helped shape the identity of this franchise on and off the court and were embraced by the City of Memphis. On behalf of the Grizzlies organization, I would like to thank him for his blood, sweat and dedication to the Grizzlies and Memphis. The impact he has had on this team and the city will live on, and we look forward to one day welcoming him back home to Memphis where his #33 jersey will hang in the rafters of Fedexforum next to Zach (Randolph) and Tony (Allen).”

The three-time NBA All-star is the franchise leader in points, blocks and minutes played.

Over that span, Gasol amassed 11,684 points and 5,942 rebounds.

With the uncertainty of if it will convey a first-round pick to Boston in 2018, 2019 or 2020, the Grizzlies have been unable to use first-round picks in those years as bartering chips.

As for the future of the franchise, Wallace circled back multiple times to rookie power forward Jaren Jackson Jr., a 19-year-old phenom who the franchise will now build around.

With Gasol departed, the Grizzlies are expected to shift to a faster offensive pace, and Jackson is expected to become the team’s main scoring option along with point guard Mike Conley.

In regards to his own future, Wallace said, “I’m very comfortable with where I stand with him and this team.

“We have so many more assets to work with than we did when I came here back in 2007. We’re just so much further along. Very excited about the future. Just look at what Jaren did last night (27 points in a loss at Oklahoma City) and what he’s doing every night. He’s getting better every night.

“I don’t want to put it all on him. But that’s a great building block for the future. As I’ve always said (he is) a bridge to where we’re going to eventually be with this team.”

Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at david.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Davidwcobb.