MARC GASOL GOES TO MEMPHIS
The Memphis Grizzlies acquired center Marc Gasol, a second-round draft pick in 2024 and cash from the Los Angeles Lakers for center Wang Zhelin.
What does it give the Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are helping Gasol here, since the former Memphis star center has decided to retire from the NBA and finish his playing career in his native Spain. Therefore, Memphis will waive Gasol to allow him to do just that. The Grizz also helped Los Angeles by taking back Gasol's contract, but the Lakers did have to send a future second-rounder and cash in the deal.
What does it give the Los Angeles Lakers
After the Lakers acquired DeAndre Jordan as a free agent, Gasol became expendable. The latter had already decided to return to Spain, so adding Jordan was seen as a necessity. LA will save around $10 million with this deal, which could allow them to add another player for their roster before the start of the 2021-22 regular season.
Fantasy impact
Gasol has decided to retire from the NBA, so he should not be picked up in any league formats this year. Zhelin is a major long shot to ever play in North America, so he too can be safely ignored in drafts this year. Zhelin may have some value in the deepest of keeper/dynasty formats, but otherwise no.
