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Memphis Grizzlies waive Marc Gasol after acquiring his rights from Los Angeles Lakers

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Memphis Grizzlies have waived center Marc Gasol days after acquiring his rights in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The release, which was expected, allows Gasol to remain in Spain with his family, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski last week.

The Grizzlies acquired Gasol from the Lakers along with a 2024 second-round draft pick and cash for the draft rights to center Wang Zhelin (57th overall in 2016) on Friday. The move saved the Lakers about $10 million against the salary cap and the league's luxury tax.

The 36-year-old center spent his first 11 NBA seasons with Memphis.

Gasol averaged a career-low 5.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season, as the 7-foot-1 center never found a regular role in the Lakers' rotation.

He made three All-Star teams during his career with the Grizzlies, who first acquired his rights from the Lakers in the trade sending his older brother, Pau, to the Lakers in November 2008.

The former NBA Defensive Player of the Year was traded from Memphis to Toronto in February 2019, and he won a championship ring later that season.