Bromance of Grizzlies' starting big men will go on for another three years
Memphis, Tennessee
While the Grizzlies are on track to accomplish the fifth consecutive post season appearance, the team's future is diligently being worked on behind the scenes. Shortly before the trading deadline Memphis signed both of their starting big men to contract extensions and secured the services of one of the best big man duos in the league for another three years.
The 30 year old Marc Gasol will earn $50 million dollar in the last three years of his extended contract. That will make him the second highest paid pure center in the league behind Dwight Howard by the average outstanding salary.
Zach Randolph, who will now be almost 37 years old at the end of his contract, also got a contract extension over three years that will bring him an additional $24 million to this year's salary of $17 million. Randolph had opted in to the last year his contract last summer instead of directly signing a new contract with the Grizzlies. That could have saved Memphis a little capspace for the 2015 offseason in which they now have more room to purchase some upgrades for the current team.
Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph are playing together in Memphis for almost six years now and they are not only an extraordinary fit on the court but also good friends off the court. Both feel more than comfortable about continuing to play for the Grizzlies as they are about to reach the playoffs for the fifth consecutive time and are flexible enough to get some relevant additions in the next offseason. So the recent agreements make much sense for both sides as Memphis can now plan with its big men duo for another three years.