Marc Gasol possibly signing with Spurs worries Grizzlies teammates
The possibility of unrestricted free agent Marc Gasol signing with the San Antonio Spurs this summer has his Memphis Grizzlies teammates a tad worried, according to Sam Amick of USA Today.
There is confidence among Gasol's teammates that he won't want to leave their Grit & Grind core, but that Spurs possibility worries them.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) May 16, 2015
The Grizzlies were eliminated from the NBA playoffs following a 108-95 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 at the FedExForum on Friday. Gasol led Memphis with a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds, although he needed 23 shots to get it.
The 30-year-old Spaniard has spent his entire seven-year career with the franchise. He was selected with the 48th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers before being sent to the Grizzlies as part of a package for his brother Pau Gasol.
"The city of Memphis and the franchise means a lot to me," Gasol told Amick back in February. "It's not going to be easy for me to leave a place like that."
It's clear that Gasol has a close connection with the Grizzlies organization and its fan base. Playing for head coach Gregg Popovich and potentially teaming with future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan in the Spurs' frontcourt may be too enticing of an opportunity to pass up, though.
Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reported in November that the Spurs would target Gasol as a replacement for Duncan should the 18-year veteran decide to retire.
The New York Knicks and their enormous amount of cap room will reportedly also be involved in the Gasol sweepstakes.
The Grizzlies are apparently in the dark as to which direction Gasol is leaning, as the two-time NBA All-Star doesn't talk much about his future. Memphis fans can only hope that Gasol's loyalty and relationships with his teammates will keep him from looking for greener pastures elsewhere.