Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol has reportedly ruled out the possibility of joining the New York Knicks in free agency this summer.
READ MORE:
Marc Gasol won’t rule out signing with Lakers: Memphis center open to moving to LA.
Marc Gasol has knee bone bruise: Grizzlies ace won’t miss time.
Celtics plan to target Marc Gasol: Boston join growing list of teams interested in Spaniard.
Gasol is widely regarded as one of the top free agents of the 2015 class, and he will not be short of suitors when he enters the market in the summer.
While the general consensus is that he will remain with the Grizzlies, there will be numerous teams hoping to persuade him otherwise including the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.
However, one team that doesn’t appear to have a chance is the Knicks, as reports claim that the Spaniard would not be interested in a switch to Madison Square Garden.
“A little birdie who knows of what he speaks tells me Gasol has already ruled out playing for the New York Knicks,” SheridanHoops reports.
“It’s nothing personal with Phil Jackson or that consummate New Yorker, Jim Dolan (gag). It’s a matter of money. He can get a five-year deal to stay in Memphis, where he attended high school. After taxes, that will be worth more than twice what he would get from New York.”
The speculation makes sense in so far as Gasol would be better financially by staying in Memphis, while there is also the added bonus of being on a competitive team already made to compete in the playoffs and beyond.
It would be a huge risk for the 30-year-old to take to move to either New York and LA and become part of a significant rebuilding process, but such is his talent, he could well make it work wherever he lands.
Nevertheless, despite the draw of a big market team, Gasol will likely favour re-signing with the Grizzlies and so New York may not be the only team left disappointed this summer.
COMMENTS