Boston Celtics Ideal Free Agent: Marc Gasol

First of all, this is truly an ideal situation for the Boston Celtics. Marc Gasol is a part of one of the stronger teams in the western conference and is a part of a group that can contend for titles for years to come.

Getting Gasol away from the Memphis Grizzlies will be a near herculean task but if any team is capable stealing the free agent to be, it is the Celtics.

Gasol could almost be a prototype for the perfect center in Stevens’ system. The first and number one reason the Celtics will covet Gasol is defense. It is no secret that the Celtics struggled to defend at times this year and the number one reason is the lack of a paint presence.

Mar 29, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward Tiago Splitter (22) shoots the ball as Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 103-89. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Outside of the paint, the Celtics actually have some decent defenders. Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart are as pestering as any guards in the league and Jae Crowder could very well shape up to be a top defender for the Celtics.

If they can just get some resistance in the paint the Celtics will have one of the stronger defensive groups in the East.

Gasol has been the leader of one of the most dominate defensive teams in the league. The Grizzles were number two in points allowed this season and Gasol is one of the chief reasons why.

Gasol was in the top 10 in defensive rating and most impressive is his 4.7 defensive win shares are number three in the league. Gasol helps his team more than almost anyone else with his defensive impact and while that is the top reason the Celtics would love to have him, it is not the only one.

Gasol is far from an imposing offensive force in the NBA but he fits wonderfully into the Celtics’ system. Gasol only had 3.8 assists per game and even though that is not an eye popping number it is still the second best for a center in the NBA.

Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) is fouled by Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the third quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics’ offense is all about ball movement and Gasol’s ability to pass is unmatched by any other center in the league. Gasol has wonderful touch and he clearly takes a lot of pride in finding and helping his teammates.

Gasol will never force himself to take over the game by scoring and even if other centres may be more capable scorers there are no flaws in Gasol’s offensive game. Passing may be Gasol’s best trait and the best way for him to fit into Stevens’ offense but it extends even further than that.

Gasol shoots the ball at just under 50% on the season but what gives him a great boost is his ability to hit the jump shot. Gasol is not a player who can only score by the rim as he has no problem with the mid range game. Mid range jumpers are a huge portion of the Celtics’ game and is actually the area they flourished the most at as they shot over 40% on mid range jumpers.

Gasol has incredible versatility and Stevens would use that perfectly. Gasol is also not a liability from the free throw line as he shoots just under 80% from the charity stripe.

There is no phase of the game where Gasol would hold the Celtics back and he would certainly give them a boost in all significant areas.

Tyler Zeller has already emerged as a great mid range shooter but he is almost non existent on the defensive end. Gasol would be the perfect mentor for Zeller. They share a similar ability with shooting the ball and if Zeller had an opportunity to grow defensively while working with Gasol they could form one of the strongest front courts in the NBA.

Apr 4, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Celtics forward Tyler Zeller (44) smiles as he talks with a teammate during warm ups before playing Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Gasol’s impact on the Celtics would be immediate and would be tremendous. Gasol helps the Celtics in the area that they struggle the most and he compliments Stevens system perfectly. The Celtics do not need a center that will try and take over offensively or necessarily has incredible athletic ability.

If the Celtics could pull off a miracle and somehow find a way to get Gasol out of Memphis he would be the number one player that they could acquire in free agency.

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