NBA Trade Rumors: Could Grizzlies' Marc Gasol, Mike Conley Jr Be On The Block?

GettyImages-461149132 — The Grizzlies may consider parting ways with Marc Gasol (left) and Mike Conley Jr. (right). Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

After starting the season with a 15-9 record, the Memphis Grizzlies have been in a tailspin and the front office may be ready to start rebuilding. The Grizzlies, who have won just three of their last 18 games, could consider dealing Marc Gasol and Mike Conley Jr. ahead of the Feb. 7 trade, according to reports.

Shams Charania of the Athletic reported that stalwarts Gasol and Conley met with 40-year-old team owner Robert Pera this week to discuss the team's direction amid rumors that both players could be on the trade block.

One whisper making the rounds: Marc Gasol can become a free agent at season's and, amid a growing belief around the league that he will indeed exercise that option, Memphis could be moved to explore trading Gasol now rather than face the threat of losing him without compensation
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 15, 2019

The Grizzlies are 19-26 ahead of Saturday's road game against Toronto Raptors and are only ahead of the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference. Earlier this week, ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski said the Grizzlies "want to be buyers" despite their poor record and suggested that the team isn't ready for a shakeup.

"They want to continue with Mike Conley, Marc Gasol. They added Jaren Jackson, who has been a revelation this year," Wojnarowski said.

"But they're falling and they've struggled. They've had injuries. Kyle Anderson is now out for a few weeks.

"They did the Justin Holiday deal with Chicago to get them another wing — they gave up two second-round picks in that [deal]. That leaves them in a difficult position to do much else. [Holiday] is a player they want to re-sign this summer.

"They are buyers right now. But by the time we get to the Feb. 7 trade deadline, they may be so far out of it that they're going to have to be a team to become sellers."

The Grizzlies have 10 games ahead of their Feb. 7 matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Memphis will face six opponents that currently have a record below .500.

Both Gasol, 33, and Conley, 31, have played their entire careers with the Grizzlies. They are the team's scoring leaders, with Conley averaging 19.9 points per game and Gasol averaging 15.4 points. Conley is 15th in the NBA in assists (6.2), while Gasol is 26th in rebounds (8.4).

Gasol earns $24.1 million this season and has a player option for the 2019-20 season worth $25.5 million.

Conley earns $30.5 million this season and will make $32.5 million in 2019-20. He has an early termination option following the 2020-21 season.

Basketball