Griz still await Gasol’s decision

Koufos gets OK to seek deals

The NBA’s offseason provided plenty of fireworks no sooner than the free-agent period began earlier this week. Here is a recap:

Gasol watch: Marc Gasol still hadn’t publicly agreed to re-sign with the Grizzlies as of late Friday night, three days after he became eligible to verbally commit.

Despite the delay, there have been no indications that Gasol will walk away from Memphis. The organization remains optimistic that the All-Star 7-footer will return with a five-year, maximum-salary contract likely worth more than $100 million.

Domino effect: The Griz have told backup center Kosta Koufos’ representatives that they are willing to accommodate him in potential sign-and-trade deals that are favorable to the franchise.

Koufos is an unrestricted free agent who is seeking more money and playing time than the Griz can afford. A sign-and-trade would give Koufos the chance to earn more than the midlevel exception and join a team in need of a starting center.

The Los Angeles Clippers might have interest in Koufos since their starting center, DeAndre Jordan, has committed to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.

Griz biz: Memphis used its midlevel exception Wednesday to sign 27-yearold power forward Brandan Wright to a three-year contract worth slightly more than $17 million. The Griz now only have a veteran’s minimum contract to offer other free agents.

The schedule: Teams can receive verbal commitments from players but can’t sign contracts until Thursday, when the free-agent moratorium is lifted.