NBA Trade Deadline: 3 players that could leave the Grizzlies before the deadline

The NBA trade market has kicked into full gear ahead of the trade deadline on February 7th.

It started out with Anthony Davis requesting to be traded away from New Orleans Pelicans – the team that he has spent his entire career with. And this major news was quickly followed by the Knicks' monumental trade with the Dallas Mavericks. The trade saw the previously untouchable Kristaps Porzingis leaving the team, while former All-Stars including DeAndre Jordan were also part of the deal.

More huge deals are expected in the coming days, and the Memphis Grizzlies are likely to be active among the active teams. The Grizzlies have suffered a slow start to 2019, and the team now look unlikely to make the postseason. Due to this, the Grizzlies are reportedly looking to offload a number of the teams highest earners, and here we will look at three members of the roster that could leave before the trade deadline.

#3 Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol has been a member of the Grizzlies roster since 2008, although the Spanish center is finally being linked with a trade away from the team. Chris Herrington from the Daily Memphian is reporting:

Gasol is obviously the subject of greatest intrigue. Gasol has an opt-out this summer that could see him walk away from the Grizzlies for no return. The team is already a playoff longshot and could look like more of one in a few weeks. Add in that Gasol will be 34 on a team that is moving forward with a 19-year-old building block, and it all strongly suggests a trade.

So far this season Gasol has averaged 15.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, and the 34-year-old has a $25.5 million player option for the 19/20 season. Contending teams will be interested in adding the three-time All-Star, however, Gasol's salary may be an obstacle.

#2 Chandler Parsons

Chandler Parsons signed with the Grizzlies back in 2016, although the 30-year-old has struggled with injuries during his time in Memphis. Due to this, ESPN is reporting that the Grizzlies will look to get Parson's huge contract off of the franchise's payroll:

The Grizzlies also are trying to trade forward Chandler Persons who has $35 million through 2019-20 left on his contract. Parsons and the organization have seemingly parted ways for the season, with Parsons returning to California to work out and wait on a possible trade. Memphis has discussed deals in which it would take on additional salary moving forward

Parsons has played just three times this season due to chronic knee issues, and in total, the small forward has featured in just 73 games over the last three seasons. Nevertheless, Parson's himself has stated that he is now fit and ready to play, so the veteran evidently does not feature in the Grizzlies future plans.

#1 Mike Conley

San Antonio Spurs v Memphis Grizzlies - Game Three

Just like Gasol, Mike Conley has spent his entire career with the Grizzlies. During more than a decade in Memphis, Conley has been one of the Grizzlies most consistent performers, however, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN is reporting that Memphis are willing to trade away the 31-year-old point guard:

For the first time, the Memphis Grizzlies will begin listening to trade offers for their franchise stars, center Marc Gasol and guard Mike Conley league sources told ESPN. Memphis ownership and management have decided they've reached an organizational crossroads and are preparing to weigh deal scenarios on one or both of their cornerstone veterans between now and the Feb. 7 trade deadline

Conley has enjoyed another terrific season for the Grizzlies, averaging 20.1 points, 6.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game. Nevertheless, there is a growing belief in Memphis that the current roster is unable to compete, and Conley may need to be sacrificed due to the $66 million that he is owed over the next two seasons.