Toronto Raptors: Evaluating trade value before the deadline
By Kyle Craib
Marc Gasol
Contract: $25.6M (2019/20)
Trade Value: C+
“Big Spain” poses a big question mark for the Toronto Raptors. If you just solely at Marc Gasol’s stat line, the 35-year-old’s numbers are shocking low. The biggest hit has been to Gasol’s shooting percentage, averaging at 42 percent, the lowest of his career by far. Until very recently, his percentage from 3-point range exceeded his percentage from two; something that is rather unheard of from a center.
But Gasol’s value lies between the stat lines. His presence on the court adds a degree of playmaking that not many teams can offer from the center position. Gasol’s 3.5 assists per game only tells half the story, with many plays being created off his solid screen and roll play. The pairing of him and Ibaka gives the Raptors two different types of centers that they can work with and playing off their opponent to find the match up that suits either best.
Any team looking for a veteran locker room presence that can still produce at the five will keep an eye on Gasol at the deadline. However, his sizable $25.6 million contract is a high price to pay for the aging big man.