The National Basketball Association's (NBA) San Antonio Spurs are interested in pursuing Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol this summer in free agency.

The Spurs are targeting Gasol in order to procure an effective replacement for long time player, Tim Duncan. That is assuming that he will be retiring this coming summer.

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Apart from the Spurs though, the New York Knicks also have their sights set on Gasol. They have location in their favor, and the fact that Gasol is familiar with both Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher since older brother Pau played with the Los Angeles Lakers most of his career.

However, if both teams do not seem viable to Gasol, he could also opt to stay with the Grizzlies, who are a legitimate championship contender. The Grizzlies can also offer him the most money, and he has also grown to love the city as well.

There are several reasons why the decision may fall through. The first is Duncan's retirement.

Duncan initially decided to, but postponed his decision, as he has shown no signs of slowing down with his stats and enjoyment being at a competitive and impressive rate in the current season.

There is also the fact to consider that Gasol isn't really a social butterfly  not like his older brother. Memphis offers him more in this respect.

The Spurs though, may be able to offer him something of value as well.

First, they are a tight-knit basketball group that has a "team-first" attitude. There a lot of ball-sharers on the team that will allow for Gasol to have a handle on the ball when he wants to shoot.

There are also the facts that the team is always in contention and that the ownership, management, and coaching staff are stable.

Finally, there is Gregg Popovich, one of the best coaches in the NBA league.

The decision all depends on how things will unfold by the end of the 2014-2015 season.

TagsMarc Gasol, Tim Duncan