Grizzlies GM: ‘No intention’ to Trade Marc Gasol, Mike Conley

The Memphis Grizzlies will not shift into rebuilding mode this season, general manager Chris Wallace told ESPN after the team’s losing streak was extended to nine games Wednesday, two days after the firing of head coach David Fizdale.

Wallace was adamant that the Grizzlies, who fell to 7-13 after a 104-95 loss to the Spurs, would not consider trading center Marc Gasol or point guard Mike Conley — the remaining cornerstones from the franchise’s streak of seven consecutive playoff appearances.

“We have no intention to trade Marc,” Wallace told ESPN when asked if the franchise might consider dealing the 32-year-old big man. “We never seriously considered that at all. We never placed any calls to any teams in that regard. So that’s not happening.

“It’s not just Marc that this whole equation is about. It’s also Mike Conley, when he comes back. We’ve got two guys among the elite in the league at their respective positions that are still very much in their window with an awful lot of tread left on their tires.”

Injuries have been a significant factor during the Grizzlies’ losing streak, with five planned rotation players sitting out the loss to the Spurs. Conley, 30, has missed the past seven games due to soreness in his left Achilles tendon and heel, and the team announced Wednesday that he would return in two to three weeks.

Source: Tim MacMahon of ESPN