Report: Raptors nearing deal for Grizzlies C Marc Gasol; Mike Conley staying in Memphis
The Toronto Raptors are close to an agreement for Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, ESPN reports.
Toronto is nearing an agreement to land Marc Gasol, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2019
The Raptors are sending Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Miles and a 2024 second-round pick to the Grizzlies in return, according to the report.
In addition to trading Gasol, the Grizzlies traded Garrett Temple and JaMychal Green to the Los Angeles Clippers in a separate deadline-day deal, according to ESPN. They will receive Avery Bradley in return.
ESPN also reports that the Grizzlies will keep point guard Mike Conley after shopping the veteran ahead of the trade deadline.
The Raptors also sent center Greg Monroe to the Brooklyn Nets for a second-round pick, The Athletic reports.
What it means for Raptors
With Kawhi Leonard’s contract expiring and the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks stockpiling picks around them in the East, the Raptors are making their move. With the power vacuum in the East created after LeBron James’ departure to Los Angeles, the conference’s top teams recognize that the time is now to shoot for the NBA Finals.
Toronto is under added pressure with a chance to convince Leonard to remain in town when he becomes a free agent in the offseason. The Raptors made a big move last summer in sending franchise cornerstone DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Leonard.
They surely didn’t envision that deal as being a one-year rental. Anything they can do to compete for a title tilts in their favor that Leonard will remain a Raptor.
What it means for Grizzlies
The anticipated rebuild in Memphis is now in full effect. Gasol has spent his entire 11-year career in Memphis alongside Conley, and the Grizzlies have decided it’s time to turn the page. The Grizzlies fell short in their efforts to deal Conley, apparently not getting a return package that met their demands.
In sending Green away to the Clippers as well, Memphis is moving full bore into the Jaren Jackson Jr. era. The multi-talented rookie with an All-Star skill set has thrived in limited minutes playing in a front court alongside Gasol and Green. Now he’ll be the centerpiece.
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