Memphis big man Marc Gasol is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season and will not lack suitors for his services. The Knicks, Spurs, Lakers and Raptors have already been reported to be interested in signing the 29-year-old, and the list of parties wanting to lure him away from the Grizzlies is likely to keep on growing. Gasol sat down with the Los Angeles Newspaper Group (hat tip to Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News) to discuss a number of topics. The entire article is worthy of a look, but here are some of the highlights…
On what variables Gasol is going to weigh when making his free agency decision:
“I haven’t weighed anything yet. Knowing that Arn [Tellem] will handle pretty much the load of everything else, whenever July comes, it’ll come. We’ll sit down and have a human eye-to-eye conversation and we’ll see what we’re looking for and looking at for the next four or five years of my life with the team and different teams and my family. Whatever decision I make, it would be the best.”
On if he would consider the Lakers as an option:
“I haven’t even looked at it yet. Whenever the time comes, I’m not going to say no to anything or refuse anything. I’m not going to agree to anything. We’re much in no man’s land right now. I pretty much just have to wait until July.”
On if his brother, Pau Gasol, provided any perspective on playing in Los Angeles:
“That was Pau’s time. I won’t say no to anything right now. It’s not something I have in front of me right now. If it’s presented to me, I’ll think about it. If not, I won’t.”
On his thoughts about being included in the 2008 trade that brought his brother to the Lakers:
“I never thought I would be in this league. I was happy for Pau because I knew that he needed a new start. I didn’t see myself as an NBA player. I didn’t see myself coming over here [from his native Spain]. I knew the Lakers didn’t know much about me. I never talked to them and they never came over. They gave me a training camp minimum contract. I wasn’t going to leave my team to be a training camp guy, especially not knowing what a training camp guy is. I would have a slim chance of making the team. It happens, but it normally doesn’t happen. I was just happy for Pau, honestly. I think it worked out pretty well for both sides. The Grizzlies got what they want, which was rebuilding and the cap space at that time and some young players. I don’t think they knew what that could turn into. The Lakers obviously have two rings, which is the ultimate goal and a great, unique and outstanding player in Pau. I don’t think they’ll get another one like that in years to come.”
On if he knew that he would develop into one of the best centers in the game after being dealt:
“I don’t think they knew the player I was. Nobody knew. Even today, I don’t think I’m the player I can still be. You never know. You make a decision and you have your side. They got a pretty good result having Pau for 6 and a half years. I don’t think they got the most out of Pau. They used Pau well for the 3 and a half years. But after that, the team didn’t have everything figured out. It was sad to see that. Move on and onto the next goal and next thing.”