The Memphis Grizzlies and current owner Mark Heisley have reportedly found a billionaire willing to purchase the franchise.
From Marc Stein of ESPN.com:
Going up online as we speak: Sources tell ESPN that Michael Heisley has found buyer for Grizzlies: Communications tech magnate Robert Pera
Robert Pera, the reported buyer, is worth $1.5 billion according to Forbes Magazine.
While the sale of a team hardly ever goes through seamlessly, Pera’s potential acquisition is a not-so-subtle blessing for the Grizzlies and their fans.
Heisley has done wonders for the franchise, putting a balanced core of youth and experience together, ensuring that Memphis is relevant for seasons to come. It’s also a known fact that he was refusing to sell the organization to a buyer who would look to move the team, meaning Pera’s intentions must be to keep the team in Memphis.
As fantastic as Heisley has been, though, he has run his course with the Grizzlies. He’s not keen on the idea of paying luxury tax, which is a threshold Memphis is about to cross.
The Grizzlies have significant money invested in Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph, and the team, as a collective, is slated to use over $62 million in payroll next season. And that’s why the Gay trade rumors have already began to surface, because Heisley isn’t one to embrace the luxury tax.
Now, however, with a new owner, who we are all led to believe is ready and willing to foot the bill for this talented, albeit expensive, team, the Grizzlies and their fans can rest easy.
Breaking up this team in any capacity, whether it be dealing Gay or any other key players, is a mistake. Had the Grizzlies played any sort of inspired basketball during the fourth quarter of the playoffs, they would have, at the very least, earned a rematch against the San Antonio Spurs.
Though the reality of their essential collapse is slightly disconcerting, the Grizzlies are capable of so much more, as long as they’re held in tact.
With a new owner potentially on the way, questions regarding their murky future can be put to bed, and the Grizzlies can get back to focusing on what they are currently constructed for—contending for an NBA title.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
