The Zion Williamson situation in New Orleans is slowly becoming the next major NBA drama. The Pelicans forward and the first pick in the 2019 NBA Draft is yet to feature in a game this year.

After receiving widespread criticism for not reaching out to CJ McCollum after he was traded to New Orleans, Williamson was called out by former Pelicans guard JJ Redick as being a “detached” teammate. He's contacted his new teammate since and McCollum even criticized the backlash to Williamson, but it has not stopped the storm in the Big Easy.

Trade rumors are already surfacing, and every franchise in the league would be interested in the prospect of trading for Williamson on the relative cheap. One such team could be the Memphis Grizzlies.

2 reasons why the Grizzlies must trade for Zion Williamson this offseason

Financial stability 

In a league where most teams are fighting to remain under the luxury tax, the Grizzlies are doing some incredible work. The Tennesee-based team is spending just $97 million in salaries this season, while the NBA salary cap is set at $112 million. While these numbers would not look out of place for a rebuilding team, the Grizzlies are currently third in the West with a 42-20 record. Additionally, they have one more season of superstar Ja Morant at a discounted price of $12 million, with his forthcoming max-level extension set to kick in come 2023-24.

The financial management of the Grizzlies, who are committed to spending $101 million next season, against a $121 million projected salary cap, is a thing of beauty. It allows them to further solidify their team before Morant's extension hits the books. One way of doing so would be acquiring Zion Williamson. He still has two years on his deal, so the Grizzlies could theoretically add another marquee player next to the first two picks of the 2019 draft while they're still on rookie contracts.

Of course, the Grizzlies being a small market team, it is very tough to imagine a massive free agent to join their squad. The only big free agent name that the Grizzlies brought in was Chandler Parsons in 2016, which did not turn out well. In a fortunate turn of events, the signing of Parsons not going well was perhaps a sign the Grizzlies should build organically rather than seek free agents. However, while that strategy is doing wonders for them right now, the Grizzlies could change course if Williamson is brought in.

Their financial outlook would drastically change should the Grizzlies bring in Williamson. He's up for an extension after the season, just like Morant, so bringing in another expensive free agent could leave them crippled to re-up Desmond Bane if they were to bring in another expensive free agent it would surely leave them crippled to re-up Desmond Bane without going deep into the luxury tax.

The Grizzlies do not bring in a ton of money through TV rights, so their owners might be cautious to make such financial decisions. But they would all but assure the Grizzlies are a perennial title contender, especially if Williamson puts early-career injury issues behind him.

Building continued success 

This season is all well and good, but the problems for the Grizzlies might start next year.

Morant is clearly the real deal, poised to dominate the NBA for years to come. Yet, one cannot escape the feeling that some Grizzlies are playing over their heads. Desmond Bane is enjoying a breakout sophomore season, connecting on 41% of his three-point attempts. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke have taken big steps in 2021-22, too. But is all of that growth real?

No one projected the Grizzlies to be this good. NBA analysts can make some incredible claims and predictions, but when their work is done as a whole, they are right more than they are wrong. Without many expecting them to contend this season, the Grizzlies have shocked the basketball world. But they'll be the hunted next season, with teams better prepared to face them no matter how the playoffs unfold. Young teams tend to struggle in the postseason, too.

Memphis would have a sky-high ceiling if it managed to acquire Williamson, his sustained health provided. That's no knock on the current roster or an underestimation of what the team is doing this year, but it's clear to everyone involved the Grizzlies are overachieving in a massive way. With Williamson on the roster, they would have a reliable one-two punch and a deep bench to help them out. Of course, the Grizzlies would have to part with some core player in any Williamson trade, but their next-man-up mentality means others should step up, just as Bane has this season.

The Grizzlies would give themselves a chance to move from the surprise of the season to a perennial contender if they trade for Williamson. If he becomes available and if Memphis is ready to pay up for the chance to win a championship, the pairing of Zion Williamson and Ja Morant—teammates on the AAU circuit in high school, remember—in a Grizzlies jersey would be a sight no opponent wants to see.