It’s a weird time in Memphis right now. The Grizzlies are one of the worst teams in the NBA, sitting at 8-19 without too many reasons for optimism outside of the eventual return of Mike Conley. There’s also the fact that the team recently fired head coach David Fizdale among reports of tension between himself and star big man Marc Gasol.
This, invariably, has led to a number of people saying the team should blow it all up, despite the fact that Memphis’ front office seems set on keeping Conley and Gasol around. One thing is for sure, though: It is exceedingly unlikely that one half of that duo wants to stay and do whatever they can for the franchise.
Gasol spoke with ESPN’s Zach Lowe about the current situation around the Grizzlies. Namely, the two talked about the All-Star center’s future with the franchise and whether he would ever abandon ship.
While Gasol was adamant that he’s likely never going to request a trade, he said that he is willing to do whatever he has to do to help the Grizzlies, even if that means accepting a deal that is brought to him.
It is not bad enough for Gasol to ask out. It may never be. “I have a responsibility to this city,” Gasol says. “I’m not gonna quit, no matter what.” What if Memphis fell 30 games under .500? Gasol shakes his head. “I would want to see how we got there — what the process is,” Gasol says. “But as long as [owner] Robert [Pera] wants me here, my teammates want me here, they think I’m part of the solution — and not part of the problem — that’s all I need.” (Gasol still denies he asked for Fizdale to be fired, though the tension between them was real, sources say.)
If the team came to him with a trade, Gasol would accept it. “If they think it is best, I would do anything for this franchise,” Gasol says.
Gasol has only played for the Grizzlies during his NBA career, so it’s hardly a surprise that he has such a strong tie to the organization. This does kind of read like Gasol is letting the team know he’s willing to be traded if they decide that’s for the best. Above everything else, though, the major takeaway is that Gasol has no intention of asking for a trade unless things go completely off the rails, and even then, he may want to stick around.
