The Memphis Grizzlies have signed All-Star center Marc Gasol to a multi-year contract, fulfilling the team’s top priority this off-season.
The team announced Gasol’s signing on Monday after scheduling a news conference for yesterday for a “major announcement.”
Although the Grizzlies did not release terms of the deal, it had been previously reported Gasol had agreed on a five-year maximum contract worth more than US$100 million.
Photo: AP
“For many years, Marc has been a pillar of our franchise and in a Memphis community that has watched him become one of the best basketball players in the world, so this is a great day for our team, our city and our fans across the Mid-South and worldwide,” Memphis Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said in a statement.
Gasol did not rush into free agency, meeting only with Grizzlies owner Robert Pera in Spain before agreeing to a new deal.
The 2.16m Spaniard is coming off the best season of his career, earning a starting spot in the All-Star game. He also became the first Grizzlies player voted to the All-NBA first team.
Gasol averaged 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.62 blocks this past season. He set career highs for total points, scoring average, field goals made and attempted. He scored 30 or more points five times, something he did only once through his first six years combined.
Now 30, Gasol has teamed with Zach Randolph to give the Grizzlies a ferocious front line that endeared them to a city hungry for success.
With Gasol leading the way, and maturing from a doughy youngster into a chiseled veteran, the Grizzlies have made a franchise-record five straight playoff appearances.
They have reached the Western Conference semi-finals three times and made a stirring run to the conference finals in 2013.
The Grizzlies have also won at least 50 games in each of the past three seasons.
Gasol already ranks second in franchise history with 517 career games played and 510 starts.
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