LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers have traded the rights to Marc Gasol back to the Memphis Grizzlies, where the 36-year-old center spent his first 11 NBA seasons.
The Lakers also sent a second-round pick in 2024 and cash to Memphis in exchange for the draft rights to Chinese big man Wang Zhelin.
ESPN then reported the Grizzlies intend to waive Gasol, who plans to begin the new NBA season at home in Spain.
The move saves the Lakers about $10 million against the salary cap and the league’s luxury tax.
The 36-year-old Gasol averaged a career-low 5.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season with the Lakers, who signed him to a two-year deal last November.
The 7-foot-1 center never found a regular role in the injury-plagued Lakers’ rotation while they lost in the first round of the postseason.
Gasol’s role for the upcoming season looked increasingly tenuous this summer after the Lakers signed centers Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan, who officially returned to Los Angeles.
The Lakers also weren’t even certain Gasol wanted to return for another NBA season, prompting them to stock up on big men.
Gasol made three All-Star teams during his career with the Grizzlies, who first acquired his rights from the Lakers in the trade sending his older brother, Pau, to the Lakers in November 2008.
Gasol was traded from Memphis to Toronto in February 2019, and he won a championship ring later that season.
Gasol is averaging 14.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in his NBA career as a playmaking center with strong defensive abilities as the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Those skills never translated into consistent contributions with the Lakers, who acquired center Andre Drummond near the trade deadline last season.
The Toronto Raptors have gotten approval from the Canadian government to play games at their home arena this season, a team spokesman said.
Toronto played last season in Tampa, Florida, because of travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s not clear whether the team will be allowed to have full attendance at Scotiabank Arena. Fans who attend games will be required to show proof of vaccination.
The Raptors will open their preseason against the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 4 – their first game at Scotiabank Arena in more than 19 months.
The Raptors announced a five-game pre-season that includes two home appearances. They’ll also host Houston on Oct. 11.
They open the regular season on Oct. 20 when they host Washington.
Toronto’s last game in its home arena was Feb. 28, 2020.
The NBA, meanwhile, announced the pre-season schedule for all teams, and the first game starts off with a bang.
The Los Angeles Lakers will host the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 3 in what is automatically a highly anticipated matchup.
Both teams stacked their respective rosters with former All-Stars who can still contribute on any given night.
The Lakers, who have LeBron James and Anthony Davis, added Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo and more to the fold, including youngsters Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk.
Brooklyn, who have Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, brought in Patty Mills, LaMarcus Aldridge, Paul Millsap and re-signed Blake Griffin.
Los Angeles also signed former Brooklyn Net DeAndre Jordan after the Nets wanted to move on, so that factor is involved as well.
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