MEMPHIS, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Forwards Pau Gasol and Stromile Swift have signed new contracts with the Memphis Grizzlies, the team announced Friday.
Gasol, an all-star who got a multiyear deal, has averaged 18.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.86 blocked shots in his 242-game career. His string of 240 consecutive games, which had been the sixth longest streak in NBA history, was snapped on April 5.
"This is a very important step in my career," Gasol said on the team's Web site. "I look forward to being a part of the Grizzlies' exciting future and taking this team to another level."
Jerry West, the team's president of basketball operations, called Gasol "the cornerstone of our franchise."
The 6-9, 225-pound Swift, signed to a one-year contract, was selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies out of LSU as the second overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft. He has averaged 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over 292 career games.
"We expect Stromile to go out and have a great year," West said. "We definitely want Stromile to remain a Grizzly."
