Free agency won't bother the Memphis Grizzlies and their chances of keeping Spanish center Marc Gasol, as the All-Star player is set to have only one meeting, and that will be with the team.
Marc Stein of ESPN reported that Gasol, 30, would meet with representatives from the Grizzlies in Spain on Wednesday, and it was expected that a verbal agreement would be reached immediately.
According to ESPN, teams and players can have verbal agreements following the start of free agency but are not allowed to sign a new deal until July 9, when the NBA lifts a league-wide moratorium on roster business.
Stein also reported that Gasol's representatives would be taking calls from interested teams, but it was likely that the big man would quickly come to terms with the Grizzlies.
Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, which have earlier expressed interest in Gasol, must now focus on their other targets this free agency since Gasol's path seems locked in with Memphis. The Spurs were reportedly the ones closest to luring the veteran center away from the Grizzlies.
In a radio interview in Spain earlier this month, Gasol spoke about free agency and his desire to stay with Memphis.
"The reality for me at the moment is Memphis. I got there when I was 16 and I'm 30 years old. It's important for me, personally and in sports terms," Gasol said.
The Spaniard played his best basketball last season as he averaged 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.6 blocks in 81 games during the regular season. He improved his performance during the playoffs, averaging a double-double of 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.
The Grizzlies made it to the second round of the playoffs and faced eventual champion Golden State Warriors. They even lead the series 2-1 before losing the next three games to bow out of contention.
