Revisiting the most important trade in Memphis Grizzlies history

A questionable deal at the time for Memphis turned out to be a win for both sides.

February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Eastern Conference forward Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls (16) and Western Conference center Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies (33) during the second half of the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Memphis Grizzlies have made several important trades in its short franchise history, but none are more important than the deal that swapped the Gasol brothers in 2008.

On Feb. 1, 2008, three weeks before the 2007-08 trade deadline, Memphis sent All-Star big man Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, a 2008 first-round pick, a 2010 first-round pick, and the draft rights to Pau's younger brother Marc Gasol.

At the time, this trade was viewed as a huge win for the Lakers. None of the players acquired by the Grizzlies had much value, and Marc Gasol's value was not much either, as he was a second-round pick in the 2007 draft who was still playing in Spain.

Everything that was widely assumed about Memphis' return in this deal turned out to be true. Crittenton was traded to the Washington Wizards during the 2008-09 season after playing 35 total games for the Grizzlies. Brown played in 15 games in 2007-08, averaging 3.5 points per game before joining the Detroit Pistons before the 2008-09 season.

McKie was injured for almost all of his last two seasons with the Lakers, and he never played for the Grizzlies. Memphis waived him in May 2008.

The 2008 first-rounder was slotted at No. 28, and the Grizzlies selected Donte Greene. His rights were immediately traded to the Houston Rockets for forward Darrell Arthur. Arthur spent five seasons with Memphis and was a part of the playoff rotation. However, he played only 32 games in 2009-10, missed the entire season in 2011-12 and played only 59 games in 2012-13 due to injury.

The 2010 first-round pick was spent on point guard Greivis Vasquez, who was traded to the New Orleans Hornets after his rookie season.

The Grizzlies whiffed on every asset in the return for Pau Gasol, except one: his brother.

Marc Gasol exceeded all expectations by a landslide. From day one, he was a mainstay in the Grizzlies' starting lineup and the anchor for Memphis' defense. He joined the team in 2008-09 and averaged 11.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, earning Second Team All-Rookie honors.

He made his first All-Star Game in 2011-12 and won Defensive Player of the Year in 2012-13, helping Memphis to the Western Conference Finals. In 2014-15, Gasol, along with the Grizzlies, had arguably their best season of the Grit and Grind era. Gasol earned First Team All-NBA honors, leading Memphis to a 55-27 record.

Marc Gasol was SUCH a fun hooper

HOF class of ‘25 first-time nominee was All-NBA 1st Team in 2014-15

Some highlights: pic.twitter.com/Y6jft8I5Jd

— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) December 23, 2024

Marc Gasol's jersey number now hangs in the rafters at FedExForum. He is the Grizzlies' all-time leader in minutes played, blocks and rebounds.

Marc Gasol Grizzlies Tape https://t.co/qcvoidmFaL pic.twitter.com/oO4kXuSMWg

— Naylor (@Naylor408) April 3, 2026

As big a trade turned out to be for Memphis, it was also a resounding success for the Lakers. Pau Gasol earned All-Star and All-NBA honors in the next three seasons in Los Angeles. He was Kobe Bryant's co-star on back-to-back NBA champion teams in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Nov 2, 2010; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) and center Pau Gasol (16) embrace during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Staples Center. Th Lakers defeated the Grizzlies 124-105. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Another trade that could be considered the most important in Grizzlies history is the acquisition of Zach Randolph. Memphis sent Quentin Richardson to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for the troubled power forward in July 2009. Randolph's number hangs in the rafters at FedExForum, along with Gasol's and Tony Allen's.

While that deal has a case to be the most important in franchise history, Memphis trading its first All-Star for his younger brother, and the brother turning out to be the greatest player in franchise history, takes the throne.