17 People who turned their backs on the Los Angeles Lakers
By Tyler Watts
13. Marc Gasol
The Lakers signed Gasol just after winning the championship in 2020. He played a key role on the Raptors title team in 2019. The 6’11 big man was no longer a star, but Los Angeles was searching for someone who could play the five and take some of the pressure off Anthony Davis. They dumped JaVale McGee to open up space to sign the three-time All-Star.
Marc Gasol played just 52 games but had bright spots. He blocked 1.1 shots in 19.1 minutes per contest and shot 41 percent from 3-point range. Gasol played a key role in the playoffs as the Suns upset the Lakers in the opening round. The franchise wanted to bring him back, but the veteran had other plans.
The three-time All-Star showed no interest in returning to the Lakers for the 2021-22 season, but he was under contract after signing a two-year deal. They eventually traded him to the Grizzlies and signed DeAndre Jordan to fill his role. Gasol never played in the NBA again, but did spend two seasons with CB Girona in Spain.
Marc Gasol was drafted by the Lakers in 2007 but went to Memphis in the Pau Gasol trade. The younger brother began and ended his NBA career in Los Angeles. He refused to play his final season with the Lakers as the 36-year-old was ready to return home to Spain.