Marc Gasol Finalizing $100 Million Deal With the Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies and free agent star center Marc Gasol are putting the finishing touches on a five-year deal, reportedly worth over $100 million.

Grizzlies owner Robert Pera and his front-office lieutenants are meeting with the big fella on his Spanish hometurf this week.

Gasol, who has averaged 14.1 points and 7.9 rebounds in 517 games, did not plan to meet with any other NBA teams during his free agency.

Per ESPN:

The Memphis Grizzlies and star center Marc Gasol continue to progress toward agreement on a five-year max contract that will cross the $100 million threshold, according to league sources.

 

Although the exact contract structure remains to be seen, sources said Thursday that Gasol’s preference remains to do a full five-year deal with the only team he has ever played for in the NBA as opposed to a short-term deal.

 

The Grizzlies on Wednesday came to terms with high-flying big man Brandan Wright on a three-year, $18 million pact. The move adds frontcourt depth behind Gasol and Zach Randolph and helps insulate Memphis against the expected loss of Kosta Koufos in free agency. […] ‎Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers‎, New York Knicks ‎and Milwaukee Bucks‎ — all of whom had designs on making a run at the Spaniard in free agency — abandoned all plans to pitch Gasol before free agency began. The same goes for the San Antonio Spurs, who were widely believed to be the only team that had a shot at luring Gasol out of his Memphis comfort zone that dates back to his high school days when brother Pau was still playing for the Grizzlies.