NBA Trade Rumor: Marc Gasol Injured, Potential Replacements Sought

NBA trade rumors are suggesting that the Memphis Grizzlies are scrambling to find a trade that will bring back a big man to replace Marc Gasol. According to ESPN, Gasol injured his foot and might be required to miss the rest of the season. Memphis have a 30-22 record and are sitting in the fifth seed in the Western Conference at the moment, so Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace does not want to waste the season.

One of the more interesting options out there is Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside. While the team doesn’t have a lot of depth behind him, Heat President Pat Riley is afraid that he will lose Whiteside for free if he walks away in free agency. Riley is pretty much restricted by the salary cap at this moment. Plus, Miami plays a whole lot more effectively when Whiteside is on the bench and forward Chris Bosh slides over to the center position.

The Atlanta Hawks are interested in trading Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, and Al Horford. While the Memphis Grizzlies might not have been looking to acquire a superstar forward prior to the Marc Gasol injury, it might not be a bad idea now, especially considering how much Zach Randolph’s role has been diminished this season. Horford and Gasol could provide the Grizzlies with a formidable interior tandem that will keep Memphis in the NBA Playoffs hunt for years to come.

Another option could be David Lee, whom the Boston Celtics have currently been trying to trade. The veteran forward has been pushed out of the rotation because Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens is developing the younger front court players. Lee can still be a very good contributor and a temporary center that the team would need. Of course, the Memphis Grizzlies might not need to rush to make a trade, as Boston might buy out Lee if they cannot find a favorable deal.

Tyler Hansborough only receives playing time with the Charlotte Hornets if the game is out of line or if one of the rotation players is in foul trouble. While Hornets Head Coach Steve Clifford likes having Hansborough around, General Manager Rich Cho might be willing to make a trade if he can acquire a draft pick or two. For Hansborough, replacing Marc Gasol is a great way for him to increase his value and be signed by an NBA team next season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been shopping around Anderson Varejao and Timofey Mozgov to other NBA teams recently, so they’re both options. Mozgov has grown to become a disappointment for the Cavaliers after being the second best player for the team behind LeBron James during the NBA Finals series against the Golden State Warriors. Varejao has trouble finding minutes behind Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love, especially when Cleveland is being forced to play small ball lineups.

Chris Wallace isn’t going to make a trade simply for the sake of making one, so he might turn to potential options on his own roster, even if they’re not the most favorable ones. Zack Randolph can be reinserted into the starting lineup. Even though center isn’t his best position, he has the size to handle the job. Brandan Wright comes back from a knee injury soon, so he’s an option as well. The Memphis Grizzlies could also try giving more minutes to JaMychal Green to see what the first-year player can really do.

One way or another, Marc Gasol needs to be replaced.

[Featured Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images]