Marc Gasol’s status is unclear, with DeAndre Jordan expected to join L.A.
Marc Gasol signed with the Lakers last offseason after winning their 17th championship in team history, but the veteran big man and former Defensive Player of the Year really did not hold a big role with this team. He did start in 42 of the 52 games he played in with the Lakers last season, but Marc Gasol played sporadic minutes and did not really make much of an impact on either end of the floor.
The 36-year-old center averaged just 5.0 points and 4.1 rebounds, both career-lows, but he did shoot 41% on 50-122 shooting from three-point range. Gasol played with Team Spain in the Olympics this summer, and while Spain did not medal, he did state that he would return for his 13th NBA season and finish out his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
This was said by Gasol back on August 3, but a lot of time has passed since then, and the Lakers have made many moves. Not only did they bring back Dwight Howard, but now after DeAndre Jordan was traded to the Detroit Pistons from the Brooklyn Nets, it appears that the former All-Star center is going to be reaching a buyout agreement.
Sources have told NBA Analysis Network that once Jordan reaches this agreement, he is going to be joining the Los Angeles Lakers, and this was later confirmed by multiple reports.
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Now, the Lakers have Dwight Howard, and soon DeAndre Jordan coming in. Still, Anthony Davis is also expected to see a lot of minutes at the center position with the additions of both Trevor Ariza and Carmelo Anthony. In fact, one NBA agent told NBA Analysis Network that he believes Davis will start the season at center.
“Given the age of this team and all the new guys they added on the wing, the plan as of right now is for Anthony Davis to start at center to begin the season. This team is only really going to play 11-12 guys in their rotation and monitor minutes, which is why Howard and Jordan will come off the bench here and there in a reserve role for Davis.”
Having Davis, Howard and now presumably Jordan at the center position means that the Lakers really do not need Marc Gasol anymore, so what is next for the veteran big man? His contract is guaranteed for the 2021-22 season at $2.6M, so if the Lakers waived him, they would be eating his salary as “dead cap,” which is why they will likely look to trade him before the start of the season.
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There really is no need for the Lakers to keep Marc Gasol at this point, especially since they will have two other veteran centers on their roster after signing DeAndre Jordan.
Where Gasol will end up is unknown at this point, especially since interest in him league-wide will probably be shallow, but some possible playoff-contending teams could show interest.
The Warriors only have James Wiseman and Kevon Looney at the center position, so they could be interested in giving up a second-round pick for a guy like Marc Gasol. Still, the Timberwolves, Blazers, Hawks, Nuggets, and Pacers could also be interested given their needs for more big man depth on their bench.
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He may be older and nearing the end of his career now, but Marc Gasol is still a former 3x All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year who can not only contribute here and there but be a great voice in the locker room for plenty of teams around the league.
At this point, it seems unlikely that he will be beginning the 2021-22 season with the Lakers, so it should be interesting to see what transpires with Marc Gasol.
