The Memphis Grizzlies have been hit by the injury bug this season, with many key players going down. They have seen injuries to many key players, including Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Marcus Smart. Smart was in trade rumors prior to the injury, and it's possible he could be shipped ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline.
The 29-year-old guard was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and could be impactful for a contender. He is also a solid offensive player, averaging 14.4 points and 4.3 assists on 43/31/77 shooting splits.
With star guard Morant out for the season, the Grizzlies will likely miss the playoffs. The Western Conference is extremely competitive, and with so many injuries, it would be an uphill climb from 13th place.
Smart has three years left on his deal and could trade him away to create cap flexibility for the offseason. With that said, here are Marcus Smart trades Grizzlies must consider after brutal injury.
Marcus Smart trades
Kings receive: Marcus Smart
Grizzlies receive: Davion Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov, Colby Jones, and a 2026 first-round pick
While Marcus Smart is a talented player, he is on a sizeable contract. This trade would give Memphis a young defensive guard in Davion Mitchell, who could thrive with a change of scenery. Mitchell has the potential to fill the Smart role while being on a cheaper contract. Memphis would also receive Sasha Vezenkov and Colby Jones, who could develop into solid NBA players.
With all of the Grizzlies injuries, they are in a position to allow young players to grow. Mitchell, Vezenkov, and Jones could get significant minutes, while Memphis also receives a first-round pick in 2026.
For Sacramento, they flip three players that are out of or in the back end of the rotation and a first-round pick for a highly impactful defensive guard.
76ers receive: Marcus Smart
Grizzlies receive: Robert Covington, Furkan Korkmaz, KJ Martin, a 2024 second-round pick (via TOR, IND, UTA, or CLE), and a 2029 first-round pick swap (via LAC)
This trade would give Memphis three expiring contracts and draft compensation for Smart.
The expiring contracts would open up some cap flexibility for the Grizzlies in the offseason to pursue free agents. Martin could develop with more minutes on the floor and a new situation. Martin showed flashes with the Houston Rockets last season, averaging 12.7 points and 5.5 rebounds. The 23-year-old would be worthwhile to develop and potentially find a home with the Grizzlies.
The draft compensation could be very valuable in the future. Memphis doesn't own a second-round pick; this deal would give them one. However, the most valuable asset in this deal is the 2029 first-round pick swap with the Clippers. The Clippers will likely be past the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George era, and that could end up being a high draft pick.
Few teams can make a trade for Smart that would make sense for the Grizzlies. He is a talented player who they have expressed interest in keeping rather than trading.
However, if the Grizzlies opt to make a Marcus Smart deal ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, they should seek young players, expiring contracts, and draft compensation. They have a great opportunity to develop young players with so many of their top players out long-term. Acquiring expiring deals could give them an opportunity to make a move in the offseason with more financial flexibility.
Smart is unlikely to be traded, even with his injury, but these are deals for the Grizzlies to consider if they move him.
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