The clock is ticking toward the NBA’s trade deadline, and for Tuomas Iisalo's banged-up Memphis Grizzlies, this season’s calculus is uniquely complex. With the specter of Ja Morant’s injury-riddled availability and long-term commitment levels hanging over every decision, President of Basketball Operations Zach Kleiman operates in a space between present and future. What the Grizzlies do with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Oliver-Maxence Proper might be the next big signal sent to fans and players expecting an NBA Playoffs run.
Prosper's story reads like a classic NBA underdog tale. The 23-year-old Montreal native, drafted 24th overall by the Sacramento Kings (2023), bounced to the Dallas Mavericks on draft night. He landed in Memphis on a two-way deal in September after being waived this summer. Prosper has shuttled between the NBA roster and the G League's Memphis Hustle so far this season. His stats (averaging four points and two rebounds in just 8.4 minutes over nine appearances) don't scream stardom, but digging deeper reveals a player tailor-made for a team in crisis mode.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has value
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the archetypal “winning player,” a defensive stalwart capable of guarding elite perimeter threats and a reliable, low-usage three-point shooter. A perfect complement to Morant's high-wire act and Jaren Jackson Jr.'s jackknife game, Caldwell-Pope's value now is twofold.
First, the NBA Champion provides a measure of professional stability and defensive integrity for a team trying to salvage a season. The 32-year-old's presence in the lineup sets a standard for young players and keeps a core tenet of Grit and Grind Grizzlies basketball intact. Second, and perhaps more critically for the front office, his value on the trade market is significant. Contending teams are perpetually in search of exactly what Caldwell-Pope offers: proven three-and-D prowess on a manageable contract.
Kleiman must perform a cold-eyed assessment. Does retaining Caldwell-Pope for a late-season push for play-in tournament positioning outweigh the potential return of a future first-round pick or a promising young player? The argument to trade him is one of asset maximization. Capitalizing on his value now could replenish the team’s draft capital or add another young piece to grow with the core.
The most likely and prudent course is to listen intently to offers. If a compelling deal emerges that strengthens the team’s future flexibility and asset base, Kleiman must pull the trigger. If not, Caldwell-Pope remains a valuable mentor, offseason asset, and maybe, if needed, a ready-made starter for opening night next season. That's enough leverage to get a protected first-round pick or a promising young prospect. Settling for a couple of second-round picks and an expiring contract would be decent business.
Memphis may need someone to step into those minutes after a deal, especially if the season turns south. GG Jackson has failed to do so, having spent more time on the G-League court than Tuomas Iisalo's rotations.
Oliver-Maxence Proper pans out
Where Caldwell-Pope is a known quantity, Prosper is pure potential. Acquired on a two-way contract just days after being waived by the Dallas Mavericks, Olivier-Maxence Prosper represents a low-risk, high-reward flyer. He is an athletic, long defender with a developing offensive game, precisely the type of project the Grizzlies have historically valued. The 21-year-old forward was a first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft but never found a consistent role in Dallas. Basically, a cheaper GG Jackson.
Prosper’s situation is a test of the organization’s developmental patience and his own trade value. In the midst of a season focused on evaluation, he must be given a legitimate opportunity to prove he belongs in the team’s long-term plans. This means consistent minutes, even through mistakes, to see if his defensive versatility and energy can translate to a meaningful role. His athleticism is a tangible asset that this current roster lacks.
February 6's trade deadline will arrive quickly. By then, Kleiman will have a much clearer picture of what this season can be and what moves, if any, make sense. But for now, with Morant on the shelf and the season hanging in the balance, the smart play is to let both situations develop organically. Rush neither decision. Extract maximum value from Caldwell-Pope's experience and Prosper's potential during these critical weeks. Once the Grizzlies cash in on KCP, Proper should be ready for an NBA bench role.
The Grizzlies can't afford to make reactive moves based on a disastrous 4-10 start. Kleiman built his reputation on strategic patience. These next two months will test whether that philosophy still applies when the franchise's championship aspirations are on life support.
