The Memphis Grizzlies have one of the most exciting young cores in the league. Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, Brandon Clarke, Desmond Bane, and Xavier Tillman are all excellent pieces to build towards the future and that's without even mentioning Jaren Jackson Jr, who hasn't played yet this season.
The Grizzlies sit at 18-19 but have a positive 0.4 net rating, meaning they have struggled in the clutch. The Grizzlies will likely look to consolidate their young talent and add to their already impressive young core. Scorers will be the main targets, surrounding Morant and JJJ with shooters is paramount.
Trade 1
Sacramento Kings Receive: Gorgui Dieng and a 2021 Second Round Pick (via Grizzlies)
Phoenix Suns Receive: Nmenja Bjielica and a 2022 Second Round Pick (via Grizzlies)
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Jabari Parker and Jalen Smith
This is a small three-way deal, but it has specific benefits for all three teams. It gives each team an incentive to make the trade despite being in three different spots as franchises. The Phoenix Suns are a clear playoff team, the Grizzlies are fighting to make the play-in, and the Sacramento Kings are well out of the playoff race.
The Kings receive Gorgui Dieng as salary filler and a second-round pick that is likely to have some value. They could potentially flip both those in another trade or hold onto them and extract what value they can. They can make this deal despite being slightly unbalanced because they are still well below the tax line.
The Suns could really use the help Nmenja brings throughout the rest of the regular season and into the playoffs. They have to give up on recent draft pick Jalen Smith, but Nmenja provides much more immediate value and adds to their lineup versatility.
The Grizzlies get to buy low on Jalen Smith, who would be a really excellent fit next to their superstars. The ideal version of Smith can block shots, shoot, and roll to the rim well. It would grant incredible space for Morant to attack the rim and continue to build out this young core.
Trade 2
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Jonas Valanciunas and Justice Winslow
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: LaMarcus Aldridge, Lonnie Walker IV, and a 2022 Top 10 Protected First Round Pick
Finding a trade for a big man is really hard in the league because their value is at an all-time low. The San Antonio Spurs are one of the few teams in the league who could a big man like JV. Valanciunas has utility as both a post-up big and a stretch 5, so playing him next to slashers like Dejounte Murray and DeMar DeRozan would be beneficial. Winslow also adds another athletic playmaker to the team and allows for the team to continue growing its identity. The Spurs also get to sell LaMarcus Aldridge to a team without having to stretch his contract in a buy-out.
The Grizzlies get another athletic guard to help out their young core and a pick. The pick is particularly useful because Memphis has proven adept at drafting elite talent no matter where they fall in the draft. Brandon Clarke, Xavier Tillman, and Desmond Bane were all picked after 20 and yet all have shown flashes to be real players in this league. Lonnie Walker IV is an athletic scorer who would fit nicely around the established members of the Grizzlies core.
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