The Memphis Grizzlies lost in the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs to the Utah Jazz, but it was a great season for the young squad. Playmaker Ja Morant balled out and showed everyone why he got Rookie of the Year in the previous season. Apart from him, guys like Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson, and now-gone Jonas Valanciunas also played well. However, for the Grizzlies to take the next step, they will need help. Thus, there are some potential trade candidates that could make the Grizzlies playoff locks, even before the season starts.

This really is a good, well-balanced roster. Still, improvements need to be made in certain areas. Firstly, while getting Steven Adams is a plus in that category, experience is still lacking. Both Morant and Brooks, the leaders of the team, are very young. They got some very valuable experience from the playoff run last season, but it is lacking. Additionally, they will need some quality coming off the bench. Right now, the best player not starting is probably Brandon Clarke, which speaks volumes about the lack of proper help from the bench.

Thus, the two potential trade candidates for the Grizzlies should be Tyrese Haliburton and Tristan Thompson.

Grizzlies trade candidates

Tristan Thompson

If a team wants an inside presence and a very appreciative player, they should go for Tristan Thompson. He was kind of lost in the last few years, due to some personal drama. He spent last season playing for the Celtics but was traded to the Kings this summer. In a situation that he is, Thomspon really needs a healthy franchise that requires his skill set. The Grizzlies are a perfect match.

Thompson does not bring a lot of offense to the table. The former Cavs forward is a gritty rebounder who seeks to stabilize the team. He is also not a great defensive player but can be a good shot blocker if the system suits him. The Grizzlies might start him next to Steven Adams and they would have the best frontcourt in the league when it comes to offensive rebounds. Both are huge bodies and both would be able to dominate the offensive glass.

Thompson is also a very smart player, something he never got credit for. That was mostly visible in his Cavs sting, playing with LeBron James. James unlocked his potential and constantly ran pick'n'rolls with him, opening up space for him and for Thompson to cut to the basket. He might not have range, but his finishing around the bucket is great. If Morant can do the same, Thompson could be very useful for this Grizzlies roster.

Additionally and most importantly, Thompson has experience. He has conference-winning and championship-winning experience. Adams was close to that a few times with Oklahoma City, but Thompson was right there with the Cavaliers. With a young team as the Grizzlies are, this kind of experience can be very valuable. When the fact that Thompson is on a one-year deal is considered, the Grizzlies should be on the phone with the Kings right away.

Tyrese Haliburton

While on the phone for Thompson, the Grizzlies should also inquire about Haliburton. The 12th selection in the 2020 NBA Draft impressed everyone. He won two Rookie of the Month awards and was in the All-Rookie First Team. However, Haliburton is a member of the Sacramento Kings, meaning that nothing can ever go smoothly.

The Kings already had De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield when Haliburton was selected. However, since it worked so well with him, the Kings decided to add another guard, this time with the 9th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. They added Davion Mitchell, a guard from Baylor. Thus, the conundrum of guards will need to be solved, and the Grizzlies can be key in resolving it.

The Grizzlies would need someone like Haliburton since their bench is not that proficient. They have some solid NBA talent, like Tyus Jones, but with Haliburton, the story changes for the better. He scored at will in his rookie year, ending up with 13.0 points per game on average. He also shot 40.9% from three and 47.2% overall from the field, which are great numbers for a rookie.

A productive year for Haliburton might mean a possible opportunity for the Grizzlies. If he can become that first option off the bench and someone who can take over some games, the Grizzlies would have an elite option off the bench. Rotational players are usually the difference between a good and a great team, and currently, the Grizzlies are good. With Haliburton, they are already halfway to great.

The Memphis Grizzlies have time, due to the age of their players. That, however, does not mean that they should not go for valuable experience right away. Making the playoffs is very good, but if they can actually put up a fight in the postseason, this team would gain so much and be that much more ready when their time comes.