The Memphis Grizzlies are on the upswing with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way. The team was in eighth place in the rugged Western Conference standings before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to COVID-19. It was an impressive feat considering most pundits picked the Grizzlies to finish with one of the worst records in the West before the campaign started.
Morant was putting up 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.9 assists before the season was suspended, while Jackson was averaging 16.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 54 games prior to suffering a knee injury. Memphis’ future is incredibly bright with Morant, Jackson, Dillon Brooks, Justise Winslow, Brandon Clarke, Tyus Jones and Jonas Valanciunas serving as the team's core.
However, Memphis does need to make some moves to improve as a team. Whenever the 2020 offseason begins, the Grizzlies should consider trading for New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard J.J. Redick, one of the best shooters in the NBA and the perfect sniper to pair next to Morant in the backcourt.
Redick found his name in the midst of trade rumors this season and that will likely continue this summer since he has one year left on his contract. The sharpshooter signed a two-year, $26.5 million deal with the Pelicans last offseason. He was scheduled to make $13.5 million this season and $13 million in 2020-21.
The Grizzlies will likely have to give the Pelicans a first-round pick in return for Redick. It will be worth it, though, since J.J. is the ideal shooter to come off the Grizzlies’ bench and light it up from deep when Morant and Jackson collapse the defense.
This season with the Pelicans, Redick averaged 14.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 45.0 percent from the field and 45.2 percent from the 3 in 54 games. He started 35 games and played 26.4 minutes a night.
Redick flourishes in catch-and-shoot situations. He would get a bevy of those types of shots in Memphis since Morant is a special passer and always drawing multiple defenders when he puts his head down and drives to the basket with reckless abandon.
Moreover, Redick's presence alone from the perimeter should create ample driving lanes for Ja and make it easier for him to get to the basket.
J.J. is usually bringing his defender out of the paint with his shooting prowess since teams can't afford to leave the former Duke superstar open, even for a second.
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