On the last day of the NBA trade deadline, one of the biggest moves of the year happened when the Memphis Grizzlies decided to send Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors.
Toronto, which is in the middle of the fight for the NBA’s Eastern Conference, was looking for an upgrade at the center, and they seem to have found it in Gasol.
The Raptors will reportedly send Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Miles, and a 2024 second-round pick to Memphis to acquire the Spanish big man.
Gasol, who recently turned 34 years old, is still going strong in his 11th NBA season. He is averaging 15.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. A defensive presence in the front court, Gasol is considered one of the solidest low block players in the league.
Memphis, which is currently mired in a 22-33 season, good for 14th out of 15 teams in the Western Conference, made the tough decision to deal the franchise’s heart and biggest star due to future needs.
All of Gasol’s 11 NBA seasons have been played for the Grizzlies.
Toronto will hope that this move will patch one of their few team weaknesses and propel them to an Eastern Conference title.