Marc Gasol Nears Spain Return, Makes One Last NBA Stop In Trade: Report

The future of Marc Gasol appears set, and it is what most had speculated. The one-time NBA champion will return home to Spain after making a short stop at the same team where he started his NBA career, a report says.

The Los Angeles Lakers will send the All-Star center to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the draft rights to Wang Zhelin, a 2024 second-round pick and cash, according to an official statement from the Lakers released Friday.

Although the return to Memphis would be fitting for Gasol, it will be short-lived.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported that Gasol and the Grizzlies will work together on a "waiver and release" that will allow the three-time All-Star to remain in Spain with his family. International Business Times could not independently verify this information.

Gasol was selected 48th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. However, he was soon sent to the Grizzlies as part of a trade package that included his older brother, Pau, who was sent from Memphis to Los Angeles. The move proved beneficial for the 7-foot-1 player, who went on to become the Grizzlies’ franchise player.

For his part, Pau, 41, won went on to win two NBA titles with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010. His younger brother’s only NBA title came with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.

The trade announcement puts a lid on the speculations regarding what lies ahead for Gasol. It has been a forgettable run for the 36-year-old Spaniard, and his use for the 2021-22 season went from bad to worse.

The reason behind that is the Lakers welcomed back Dwight Howard and then added DeAndre Jordan via the buyout market. Howard, Jordan and Anthony Davis are expected to take charge in the middle for the Lakers this coming season.

Once Gasol and the Grizzlies finalize that reported release, it would align with a report in July that Barcelona manager Juan Carlos Navarro was eyeing the 36-year-old as an addition to his team. This would also allow the 7-foot-1 cager to reunite with his brother Pau.

The only other option for Gasol is retirement. But with the chance to play at least one more year alongside his brother, it could be the perfect ending to his storied basketball career.