NBA Rumors: Memphis Grizzlies To Sign Pau Gasol In NBA Free Agency

Pau Gasol is one of the top free agents set to hit the open market this NBA offseason, and there are a lot of teams that could use a talented, all-around big man like him. There is one team in particular that could target him and it would be intriguing to say the very least.

Patrick Morgan of FanSided opined that the Memphis Grizzlies could try to reunite with Gasol this offseason. It would be an intriguing pickup, to say the least, as Gasol was the face of their franchise at one point. Another reason why it would make sense for Pau is that his brother, Marc, is currently the face of the Grizzlies’ franchise.

Memphis has a lot of decisions to make this offseason, especially with star point guard Mike Conley being a free agent. They are reportedly getting worried that he could choose to leave in free agency.

It has become obvious that the Grizzlies view Conley as their top priority, but Gasol could come in as the No. 2 option in free agency for them.

Throughout the course of the 2015-16 regular season with the Bulls, Gasol ended up averaging 16.5 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. He shot 46.9 percent from the field overall and knocked down 79.2 percent of his foul shots. Memphis is in desperate need for more offensive weapons, and Gasol could immediately step in as one of their best options.

At 35-years-old, Gasol only has a few years left in the NBA, and he could be signing his final contract. That could lessen the Grizzlies’ chances of being able to convince him to sign with them. He will be searching for a landing spot that gives him the best chance to win another ring before retiring.

While the Grizzlies do have a lot of talent on their roster, they haven’t been able to make enough noise in the Western Conference to win a title. They have always come up one or two steps shy of a championship.

Gasol could view the opportunity as a chance to be the missing piece. Working alongside his brother might be a tough thing for him to turn down as well. Those two selling points could be what gives the Grizzlies a fighting chance to sign one of the top free agents on the market.

Zach Randolph would likely be the odd man out for the Grizzlies, if they brought Gasol on board. He is heading into the final year of his contract and could be sent to the bench or traded. Randolph hasn’t been getting the job done as a starter each and every night, which is why Memphis could be in the market for a new starting power forward like Gasol.

The upcoming offseason will be one of the busiest that the NBA has ever seen. The salary cap has jumped to $94 million and teams will have much more money to spend than they have had in years past. There are also a lot of teams looking to make trades in addition to the names on the free agent market.

Expect to see the Grizzlies be very active this offseason in their attempts to rise to the top of the Western Conference. Adding a player like Gasol will help them do just that. It would be fun to see the Gasol brothers go to work together, and the city of Memphis would be in for some great front-court basketball.

Do you think the Memphis Grizzlies should pursue Pau Gasol when free agency opens up this coming offseason? Could he be the missing piece that helps them become serious championship contenders once again? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!

[AP Photo/Joel Auerbach]