Pau Gasol knows the man in charge of the Knicks. He played for Phil Jackson with the Lakers.
Pau also knows his younger brother, Grizzlies center Marc Gasol.
The Knicks plan to pursue Marc in free agency next summer. Do they have a chance?
Zach Braziller of the New York Post:
Pau, in town with the Bulls, his new team, said it is “possible” his 29-year-old brother could wind up in New York and mentioned he has talked to Marc about Knicks president Phil Jackson in the past.
“We’ll see what happens next year, what he decides. Hopefully he’ll have a strong year and all the options in the world, because he’s one of the top centers, interior players in the league, so any team would be fortunate to have him,” the 34-year-old Spaniard said of his younger brother, before the Bulls demolished the Knicks, 104-80, Wednesday night at the Garden. “It’s a personal decision. I talked to my brother enough about Phil that he knows what he brings to the table.
Pau turned down the Knicks in free agency this summer, but they could offer only the taxpayer mid-level exception. That Pau even considered New York says something about his affection for Jackson. Maybe that rubs off on Marc. Maybe not.
More importantly, the Knicks should have max or near-max cap room next summer, so they can make a more appealing offer to the younger Gasol. That’ll get them in the mix.
If Knicks fans want to get their hopes up over Pau’s comments, be my guest. There’s definitely a chance Marc winds up in New York.
But Marc re-signing with the Grizzlies – who can pay him him the most and keep him in a place he seems happy – remains the most likely option.