MN/Mem/Pho

[Esohny]

Trying to come up with a trade for when Gasol can be signed.

Memphis out: Gasol (S&T)
Memphis in: Gortat, Randolph

Phoenix out: Gortat, Childress
Phoenix in: Beasley, Pekovic, Brad Miller's contract, Utah 1st, Memphis 2013 1st

MN out: Beasley, Randolph, Pekovic, Brad Miller's contract, Utah 1st, Memphis 2013 1st
MN in: Gasol (S&T), Childress

They just extended him a qualifying offer, but if Gasol is looking at signing elsewhere, Memphis could downgrade a bit to a cheaper but very good Gortat, and strengthen their bench with a talented big. Phoenix picks up a talented scorer, clears Childress's contract, and picks up future picks for the post-Nash rebuild. The Wolves complete a very strong frontcourt, and balance the roster out.

Thoughts? Changes?

[Torcher]

I would pull the trigger on this one, no doubt. The Grizzlies, however, won't, unless they can't resign him.

[younggunsmn]

PHX is getting way too much, Beasley should be enough for Gortat by himself, and we shouldn't have to take on childress.

Make it Beasley/Pek for Gortat/Pietrus.

Points for creativity, but 3 Team sign/trades are hard to pull off. I see the logic in getting Memphis a replacement C for Gasol, but if they aren't willing to pay him they are probably just going to get stuck taking assets for him. If they ARE willing to pay him, I don't think he goes anywhere. The first day of FA will be interesting, like last year when Memphis pre-emptively overpaid Gay before anyone else could even make an offer. I think Memphis either overpays him on the first day, or lets him walk.
I don't see how they can pay him 10+ in that market when they already have Randolph and Gay making 15+ on escalating deals plus conley. In 2014 they already will have 3 guys making 48 million combined. Something tells me they S&T Gasol and Battier for assets and try to parlay those assets into a C. I can see how they'd be really interested in Gortat as a replacement.

[Saltine]

Seems like a bit of an overpay to me, especially with childress in there and our two picks...
that's one lame contract. They should be ecstatic just to move that contract.

[Esohny]

Seems like a bit of an overpay to me, especially with childress in there and our two picks...
that's one lame contract. They should be ecstatic just to move that contract.

With the Wolves getting the best player in the deal, I felt like a bit of an "overpay" was necessary, especially since they won't have an opportunity to sign Gasol outright.

And I also disagree on the Gortat/Beasley valuation. I'd trade Beasley for Gortat straight up so fast that I'd throw my back out.

[younggunsmn]

I guess I'm not as sold on gortat as you are (sample size/ team fit and all). I'm curious to see what Randolph can do with big mins exclusively as a C and with Ricky running the point.

[shrink]

Now THIS is the Gasol I want to talk about!

Our best chances for getting Marc Gasol lie in two directions. First, Marc decides he doesn't want to play in MEM, or suggests he may play out his deal and become an unrestricted free agent. If that's the case, most sane teams (and MEM is unprecidtable) will trade the guy, rather than risk losing him for nothing the following year. Second, Marc Gasol may say he wants to play with Ricky. Finally, MEM's owner may say that he doesn't want to offer Gasol a giant deal.

I have heard none of these things mentioned, but with the chaotic front office of micro-market Memphis, I don't even try to predict their actions any more (Gay's deal, fighting Henry, Thabeet, Mayo's near trade, Zach Randolph, etc)

[the_bruce]

Gasol isnt the center the wolves need with the current lineup.

[JMillott]

I'd rather have Gortat then Gasol considering the Wolves need of defense next to Love. Gasol is the better offensive center or at least the more complete offensive center anyway but Gortat is a much better defender and rebounder.

Orlando was right to trade him to get more help for Dwight Howard but they picked a horrible deal when they chose to move him. If the Suns hadn't let Amare walk in free agency that trade for Gortat would've likely won them a title.

[shrink]

If I was going to define what I think of Marc Gasol, I wouldn't say he's great at anything, but I'd say he's good at almost everything. I would love to add someone as solid and reliable as he is, and not cross my fingers on a guy like Gortat (or even Bynum or Oden). I'd love a center that can run a little with Ricky. because Love isn't going to be able to do it.

[Peezo]

I think PHX values Gortat much more than people here are considering. He is a good center (I agree with Youngg - small sample size) on a good contract. They are not yet in rebuild mode either, they are in the murky gray of not good enough to win but trying anyways.

[karch34]

Second, Marc Gasol may say he wants to play with Ricky. Finally, MEM's owner may say that he doesn't want to offer Gasol a giant deal.

Shrink, I respect you a great deal as a poster. The last part I can buy, but does anyone really think anyone is saying I want to play with Rubio?

[AQuintus]

but does anyone really think anyone is saying I want to play with Rubio?

I do.

[JMillott]

Second, Marc Gasol may say he wants to play with Ricky. Finally, MEM's owner may say that he doesn't want to offer Gasol a giant deal.

Shrink, I respect you a great deal as a poster. The last part I can buy, but does anyone really think anyone is saying I want to play with Rubio?

I agree, I could maybe buy him deciding he doesn't want to play for Heisley or tie his future to Chris Wallace, Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay and Mike Conley.

I don't see how that would make the Wolves his preferred destination.

[mikefly3113]

As a suns fan I love the trade, but trust me Gortat is the one player we don't want to trade. don't think the griz would trade gasol either.

[shrink]

Second, Marc Gasol may say he wants to play with Ricky. Finally, MEM's owner may say that he doesn't want to offer Gasol a giant deal.

Shrink, I respect you a great deal as a poster. The last part I can buy, but does anyone really think anyone is saying I want to play with Rubio?

Hey - I'm saying I don't think ANY of those three reasons are likely!

We'd probably still have to see some interest in all three for Marc Gasol to come here.

I'm just sick of seeing a "spanish connection" listed as justification for a Calderon or Pau Gasol trade, when Marc Gasol is a far better fit.

[MarJJMar]

PHX is getting way too much, Beasley should be enough for Gortat by himself, and we shouldn't have to take on childress.

Make it Beasley/Pek for Gortat/Pietrus.

Dream on buddy.

[Narf]

Now THIS is the Gasol I want to talk about!

Until there is a hard cap and/or they move the luxury tax down to the salary cap (aka making the Lakers pay 40 million in luxury tax).

Pau Gasol is going to be given away for cap space then.