NBA Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers could target Marc Gasol
It’s no secret that the Cleveland Cavaliers have been targeting a prime All-Star player, using their number one overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft as bait, and if the franchise fails to land Kevin Love, they could shift their targets to Memphis Grizzlies big man Marc Gasol says Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer
"Here are four other players the Cavs could consider targeting if Love breaks their heart. Not saying any of these are likely, for some of the reasons specified and because of their contract situations, but just some suggestions for Plan B.1. Memphis’ Marc Gasol: Not sure exactly what’s going on in Memphis, so maybe the Cavs could make a quick deal before things settle down. Like Love, he has one more year on his contract."
Marc Gasol fits the mold of all the players the Cavaliers have reportedly shown interest in: Love, Joakim Noah, Lamarcus Aldridge, and Al Horford, all big men entering the prime of their careers. The acquisition of Gasol would surely allow the Cavaliers to make the leap from lottery to playoff team, something Dan Gilbert seems to be heavily stressing as the rumors suggest their looking for a premiere big man.
And despite the number one overall pick in a loaded draft being the piece dangled for one of these stars, it’s difficult to see the Grizzlies accepting this deal should the Cavailers make an official offer (odds are unlikely). Gasol is a huge piece of what Memphis has done in the last few years, and that’s speaking on his relationship with the actual basketball team and the city. He’s the best player on a 50-win team and management would most likely want to see how long they can stretch the core of Gasol, Mike Conley, and Zach Randolph before moving elsewhere.
Odds are, unless someone comes with a ridiculous offer, the Cavaliers will take use their pick in the draft. Marc Gasol would be nice, but with that deal highly unlikely, Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, or Jabari Parker will be a great “consolation” prize.