San Antonio Spurs Eager To Add Marc Gasol Next Summer To Replace Tim Duncan

It is no big secret that arguably the best power forward the game has seen in Tim Duncan is nearing the sunset of his illustrious career. The five-time NBA champion has seen decades of greatness from Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant to LeBron James and which is just plausible for his home team San Antonio Spurs to explore other options with his nearing retirement.

The Spurs are rumoured to be looking into adding soon to be free agent All-star centre Marc Gasol in the summer as reported by Frank Isola of New York Daily News. Apart from the defending champions other teams in the conversation also include the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers and his current team the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies can offer the most money to Gasol but the other suitors also have some lucrative offers apart from the presumed maximum salary offer.

The Knicks have lead recruiter and Spanish national teammate Jose Calderon and the appeal of the Big Apple as its major selling points. Apart from that, the team is hoping that Zen master Phil Jackson can weave his magic in convincing the versatile big man to jump ship. The Lakers have a lot of cap room to bring aboard the sweet shooting Gasol and while it lost out on the older Pau, it is hoping to bring him on the scenario that he will be the main man in a big market basketball city. The Grizzlies offer comfort, familiarity and the defensive tenacity that has made the Grizz as the grit and grind capital of the NBA.

No team bring more threat of prying away the big man than the Spurs who boast a professional organization whose longevity of success is being envied by no less than Kobe Bryant. The Spurs have the masterful duo of R.C Buford and Greg Popovich who have been able to make most of the careers of cast-offs and aging players.

While Gasol has already declared his inclination of staying with Memphis, the number of teams hoping to snag him has not been turned off. Last year, Gasol still averaged a paltry statistical line of 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists despite missing around a third of the season due to injuries. This early, he is already showing no ill-effects of the ailment as he is posting great numbers of 22 points, 8 rebounds and close to 3 assists while helping the defensive minded Grizzlies zoom to an impressive league leading 9-1 start.