Mavericks' Free Agent Target Analysis: Marc Gasol
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The next target we’re going to take a look at is, once again, a big man. It's unclear whether or not the Mavs will be pursuing this one as hard as the other two I’ve written about (Deandre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge), but they’d be crazy not to at least try. The big I’m going to be talking about in this article is the multi-talented, former Defensive Player of the Year, Marc Gasol. The Spanish brother of Pau Gasol has officialy surpassed his older sibling as the better Gasol in the league. And that’s saying a lot. This guy has tons of talent with a few flaws, but let’s discuss his interesting path to stardom first.
Career History:
Marc Gasol was drafted 48th overall by the LA Lakers in the 2007 draft but was traded before he got to play a game in the NBA. In one of the strangest deals, Marc Gasol was sent to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for his brother, Pau Gasol. This is the first, and only time a brother has been traded for a brother in the NBA. The package that the Lakers sent to Memphis was compiled of many other players (including Kwame Brown) and two draft picks. None of the other players amounted to much, and the draft picks weren’t too strong either. Marc Gasol, however, turned out to be a huge steal. After finishing his contract with his overseas team, Gasol officially signed with the Grizzlies so that he could play in the 2008 season. In his rookie season, Marc Gasol played all 82 games and started 74 of them. His production was seen quickly, scoring about 12 points and pulling down 7 rebounds per game. Year by year Gasol saw his role increase with the Grizzlies. Marc Gasol was selected to his first All-Star team in 2012 and then to the All-NBA second team in 2013. Along with the All-NBA second team, Gasol was selected as the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year. This past season, he was selected to the NBA All-Star game again; this time as a starter. Gasol was also selected to the All-NBA first team for the first time. The Mavs have many reasons to pursue this All-Star, but there are also many reasons why they shouldn’t. Let’s weigh the negatives and positives.
PROS AND CONS OF MARC GASOL:
Pros:
• Defense: This comes as an obvious strength to Marc Gasol’s game. Players aren’t selected as the Defensive Player of the Year for nothing; Gasol earned that award. Gasol’s defensive statistics aren’t freakishly impressive: 6.4 defensive rebounds, about 1.6 blocks, and 1 steal per game. But his on-ball defense is incredible. Even at 7’1, 265 pounds, Marc Gasol has the speed, quickness, and footwork to keep up with most small forwards and basically all power forwards and centers off the dribble. Gasol’s wingspan is 7’4, making it almost impossible to take a contested jumper over him and equally as impossible to go around. The Mavericks need any kind of defensive presence they can get this offseason, but is Gasol the guy?
• Offensive threat: Although Marc Gasol’s main task is to play lock-down defense, he’s one of the most efficient offensive centers as well. Gasol doesn’t have any kind of go-to move, but he gets the job done from various places on the court. The bulk of Marc Gasol’s offense comes around the rim. He shoots about 54% from the paint. He has the perfect touch to finish above players and is big enough to back down any defender to get closer to the rim. He doesn’t shoot threes, but isn’t expected to as a center. Although he doesn’t take many, Gasol is pretty efficient in the mid-range. Most of his mid-range shots come from either corner where he shoots around 46%. He scored about 17 per game last season, and his points per game have gone up and up. A center that can score at will is very useful in any kind of offense.
• Passing: Marc Gasol is known as one of the best passing bigs in the league, and there are stats to back it up. Any power forward or center that can make an effective pass is always impressive, but a big that can make an effective pass with a little bit of flash is impressive and exciting. Enter Marc Gasol. This 7’1 Spaniard makes some incredible, jaw dropping passes that set up his teammates. Gasol averaged about 4 assists last season, and he has clearly made it a priority to improve his passing. Gasol finds his open teammates with passes out of the post, passes on the drive, and flashy behind the back or over the head passes as well. His assist to turnover ratio is 4:2. Not bad for a center.
• Rebounding: Anyone that is 7’1, 265 pounds should be able to outrebound his opponent. Gasol pulls down about 8 boards a game. He only averages about 1 offensive board, which isn’t great, but 7 rebounds a game is another reason he won Defensive Player of the Year. His big body makes it nearly impossible to keep out of the paint when there’s a loose ball.
Cons:
• Age: Gasol will be turning 31 next season, and the Mavs are already old enough. He isn’t slowing down at all, but any kind of long-term contract could lock him up until he’s 35. That’s a lot of tread for a big man. He has a history of ankle issues, and the more he plays, the more this could affect him at his age.
• Rim Protection: Although Gasol is an elite defender in general; his rim protection isn’t great. As I mentioned before, he only averages 1.6 blocks per game, and a lot of these don’t even come from around the rim. He’s big and tall, but he lacks the vertical to block shots when someone goes up for a dunk or lay-up. The Mavs are searching for more of an elite rim protector, but any kind of defense would help.
• Loyalty To Memphis and Stronger Suitors: Ever since Gasol moved from his native Spain, he moved to Tennessee. Gasol is thriving in a smaller market and that’s a problem for the Mavs. Dallas is a big city and a big sports town, unlike Memphis and his other top pursuer. Marc Gasol has made it clear that he is going to be less than willing to leave Memphis this offseason: “I live day to day but I don’t see myself anywhere else.” Some players say this and it means nothing, but others say it straight from the heart. I think Gasol is being genuine about this, but it’s impossible to be sure. The other team that is reported to be going after Gasol this offseason is a Maverick rival: the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs make a lot of sense for Gasol (unfortunately for Dallas). San Antonio, much like Memphis, is a small market team, Gasol would thrive under Greg Popovich’s scheme and Tim Duncan’s wing, and they clearly offer a winning environment. Memphis hasn’t been able to win with their current core, so perhaps that would cause Gasol to choose a team that knows how to build around players (San Antonio *sigh*).
Gasol isn’t a perfect fit, in my mind, for the Mavericks, but he would be an amazing signing. The Mavs aren’t really looking for perfect fits, but more for good players. Gasol is a great player, and the Mavericks should be willing to spend max money on him. I believe Dallas should pursue Deandre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge before Gasol, but no one is sure what their plan of action is for the summer. I also think the Mavs should look to lock up Tyson, should they swing and miss on Jordan, before going after Gasol. Tyson won’t be a max contract player and he is a much better rim protector than Marc Gasol, something the Mavericks desperately need. I would much rather see Gasol re-sign with Memphis before signing with San Antonio. If everyone stays, and Gasol signs, the Spurs would have a lineup of: Tony Parker, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Tim Duncan, and Marc Gasol. They could go ahead and hand them the trophy if that happens. Gasol’s offseason will be an interesting one, but don’t expect him to end up in Dallas.
Statistics via ESPN.com
