Mailbag: Grizzlies offseason - Draft targets, frontcourt additions, and trades
The Memphis Grizzlies are in for a pivotal, compelling offseason with a plethora of possibilities. I answered some questions centered around the next several months in a mailbag.
Part 2 of the mailbag. If you missed part 1 or want to re-read it, here you go.
The biggest component of this mailbag was the Memphis Grizzlies offseason. For fair reason — they’re projected to have a top-10 pick, tradable salaries, a glaring need at a starting position, and the (most importantly) the urgency to win now.
Let’s dive in.
Shawn, the Stats Sensei, legitimately one of the best sports follows out there.
Obviously, rim protection is the biggest one, but I’m not totally worried about it. Taylor Jenkins has built a system where they protect the paint well — Jaren Jackson, Brandon Clarke, Xavier Tillman, Santi Aldama, and Steven Adams all boasted strong rim-protection numbers in their time with Memphis.
Beyond rebounding, I’d say assists in both traditional and screen variety. The thing that made Adams so good in Memphis was how he connected everything together offensively with how efficient he was setting up his teammates through Delay/Elbow sets. He blended his screening and his playmaking in DHO actions. If that wasn’t there, he identified cutters with lead bounce passes for layups. It amplified Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, adding more potency when they didn’t have the ball.
The next Grizzlies’ center needs to be a proficient table-setter for his perimeter players, from a screening and playmaking standpoint — on top of primary responsibilities of rebounding and rim protection. It’d make life easier for the core while raising the ceiling and floor for this team.
Alex Sarr (draft). If the Grizzlies get the top pick (or even 2nd), landing Alex Sarr through this disastrous season would be a home run. He’s not the bruiser everyone is looking for at the center spot. However, his blend of fluidity, play-finishing, and defensive versatility are too good to pass up at his age. Sarr and Jackson would be a top-tier frontcourt duo in year 1.
Deni Avdija (trade). If the Grizzlies want to roll with Jackson at the 5 long-term, Avdija is a prime trade candidate. He might be playing too good to be traded from a rebuilding Washington Wizards. Maybe Ziaire and Santi with a pick and a swap gets it done. I’m not sure, but his combination of defensive versatility, playmaking, and budding shooting at 6’9” makes him an intriguing 4 to line up next to Jaren Jackson.
Wendell Carter Jr. (trade). Ever since the Daily Memphian’s Chris Herrington floated out the idea of a Santi/Ziaire for Wendell Carter Jr. trade, I’ve become intrigued — though Orlando’s pick might be too low (22). The Magic are trying to win, and Carter is a key component of it. However, with Franz and Paolo due for extensions, could the Magic look at a cost-cutting move that nets them — hypothetically — Rob Dillingham or Reed Sheppard? Carter is a stout defender at the 5 that can handle some defense at the level in screen coverages, and he also provides solid floor-spacing at the 5. He’s an ideal fit next to Jackson from a skillset and cost perspective at the center spot.
Donovan Clingan (draft). Clingan is making a compelling case as a high-end draft prospect, not for a trade-down but for the Grizzlies’ pick in the 6-7 range. He’s massive — standing 7’3” tall without shoes, and weighing about 280 pounds (though looks slimmer through the season). He’s the ultimate rim deterrent, and his two-way efficiency has him in company with Anthony Davis, Chet Holmgren, Mark Williams, Walker Kessler, and Brandon Clarke from their collegiate careers. He’s taking incremental strides as a playmaker as well. If the medicals check out (has had lingering foot issues), it’s a no-brainer pick.
Walker Kessler (trade). May be too far-fetched, but he’s been inexplicably coming off the bench for Utah. So idea: if the Jazz keep their pick (top-10 protected), could the Grizzlies entertain a pick swap with them and exchange Kessler for 1 of Ziaire or Santi? (Then maybe take someone like Dalton Knecht or Johnny Furphy there). At 7’2”, he’s one of the best rim protectors in the league. It’d be worth a shot.
The emergence of GG Jackson doesn’t impact Marcus Smart. Maybe, the Vince Williams one “complicates” the fit a little bit, since the younger wing has a cleaner fit in the starting lineup.
Something to note, the sample sizes with both Williams and Smart with the starting lineup are so minuscule.
Nonetheless, I wouldn’t trade Marcus Smart unless they’re getting someone like Mikal Bridges in return. The team still values his veteran presence and toughness, as well as his two-way playmaking. He can function as a guard, wing, or forward on both ends of the floor. He can facilitate an offense or stand in the corner; orchestrate a pick-and-roll or be the screen-and-roller; can cover the Damian Lillard’s and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s of the world.
He’s played in as many playoff minutes as the rest of the roster combined, and has delivered in big moments too. If the Grizzlies want to achieve their championship aspirations, they need a veteran player like Marcus Smart.
Let’s sandwich this one in here. Great question, cuzzo.
If he takes his $51M player option, the Grizzlies could match salaries with Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and Brandon Clarke. They can throw in 3 picks and 2 swaps. Maybe! (Probably not).
Will Dalton Knecht be an elite NBA scorer like he’s shown in the SEC? No, but he’ll be a valuable role player for a team.
He’s a 6’6” wing that’s an electric 3-point shooter and can create off the dribble when run off the line. That’s a good player.
I still need more full watches to gauge his defense, but I wouldn’t hate the pick. However, it’s hard to project he gets serious minutes next season — my line of thinking with most of the wing prospects on the team next year.
Tristan Da Silva of Colorado is one of my favorite targets with their 1st second-round pick. I personally have a preliminary first-round grade on him. He’s a 6’9” forward with intriguing fluidity, as he projects as a connector. More thoughts on his game on my personal blog I use for draft coverage.
From a team-building standpoint, it makes sense, as 3 forwards (Aldama, Ziaire, LaRavia) are inching away from their rookie contracts. It wouldn’t hurt to add another cost-controlled big forward.
It’s going to be a long, fun offseason where these questions will have fluid answers for the next several months. It’ll be talking points wherever people talk Grizzlies — written content, podcasts or radio shows, videos, social media. Can’t wait to dive further into the Grizzlies’ compelling offseason.
Thank you again to all that participated in this week’s mailbag.
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