NBA Rumors: Milwaukee Bucks discussed a deal with Marc Gasol

The Milwaukee Bucks have had their share of issues at the center position this season due to the absence of Brook Lopez. The big man has missed all but one game after back issues forced him to undergo a procedure. From DeMarcus Cousins to Greg Monroe, the Bucks have brought in several players to try and add some size to the frontcourt, and it has been a mixed bag to this point.

According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe (subscription required), the Bucks discussed a late-season deal with three-time All-Star Marc Gasol to try and bolster their center position at one point. Gasol has been in Europe since his departure from the NBA last season, and while he would have been a household name to bring aboard, Lowe notes that Milwaukee’s acquisition of Serge Ibaka during Thursday’s trade deadline may kill any traction on the move happening now.

Reactions to the Milwaukee Bucks reportedly reaching out to Marc Gasol for a late-season deal

Given their issues at the position this season, Milwaukee’s previous interest in Gasol is certainly justifiable. The Bucks just desperately needed to add size after waiving Cousins in early January, and bringing aboard a reputable name such as Gasol would have been reasonable.

Though he is certainly not the player that he once was, Gasol could have given the Bucks another 6-foot-11 player to use in the rotation and alleviate hefty minutes from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. The former Defensive Player of the Year could have given the Bucks protection right at the hoop defensively while also helping on the glass. Offensively, the big man could have served as a solid floor spacer, having shot 36.7 percent from three on 3.1 attempts per game over the last six seasons.

Gasol would have been a solid piece to bring aboard as the Bucks await positive news on Lopez, but adding Ibaka is far and away the better move. Gasol is 37-years-old now, and during his run with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, he looked like he had lost a step before being traded and waived mid-season. Ibaka is five years younger than Gasol and is a better defender at this stage in their careers. That goes without mentioning how big of a steal Milwaukee’s deal for Ibaka was.

While Lowe notes that a deal between the Bucks and Gasol is unlikely, perhaps that could change down the line. Milwaukee has had their share of issues at center this season, and although they remain optimistic Lopez can return this season, perhaps adding a former NBA Champion and big man like Gasol would not be the worst idea. The team does have several open roster spots they must utilize over the next few weeks, and perhaps they could look to fortify their depth.

Gasol and Ibaka proved to be a solid one-two punch previously when they played together with the Toronto Raptors and won a championship in 2019, but us Bucks fans do not like to remember what happened in the series before that.

It would not be the first time that a Gasol came to Milwaukee as Marc’s brother Pau Gasol was with the Bucks for a brief stint during the 2018-19 season.