Memphis Grizzlies Trade Deadline Targets Mailbag (Part 1)
In a mailbag, potential trade targets for the Memphis Grizzlies are divided into tiers ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
The NBA trade deadline is a week away, and the Memphis Grizzlies have been pretty deep in the rumors. As a part of an annual exercise, I asked social media who the Grizzlies should target at the trade deadline, then I break them up in tiers in this very column. Per usual, I’ll go over the unlikely targets first then intriguing possibilities in a separate article.
Thank you to all that contributed. I received 56 names. I found 7 of them intriguing and pretty realistic. So here are the first 49 players.
Jimmy Butler
I’ll give Jimmy Butler his own section. The rumors won’t die. SI’s Chris Mannix talked about it on the Ryen Russilo Show, and ESPN’s Bobby Marks mentioned the possible framework of a Grizzlies and Butler deal in his trade deadline guide.
Let’s talk about why it’s out there. The Heat may like what they’re getting with the Grizzlies. Salary-wise, it’ll take Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, Luke Kennard, and John Konchar. Even if a third team enters the fray to absorb Kennard or Konchar, Clarke and Smart are good pieces to stay competitive in the playoff mix — something the Heat may desire, as their first-round pick would convey this year to avoid sending an unprotected 1st to (you guessed it) OKC in 2026.
Now let me get my thoughts out there. It resembles my original thoughts. Personal note, at the time betting odds went crazy for the Grizzlies and Butler, I was out of town with my wife and my parents. I was not going to write on the Jimmy Butler stuff for the sake of quality time, and of the complexity of the topic.
So here’s where I stand. If Jimmy Butler was bought in — and potentially understood it was a rental, or at most there was not an extension after the player option — sure, let’s do it. He’s the ultimate playoff riser, as we’ve seen the last half-decade. However, he’s 35, doesn’t shoot a lot of 3’s, and I’m not sure how equipped he is at being a defensive stopper at this stage of his career. The lack of shooting actually leads me to think the offensive fit with Ja Morant is clunkier than people realize.
With what you lose, I ultimately think it’s a lot. An All-Defense combo guard when he plays — major emphasis on “when he plays.” A key bench piece that fits incredible well with your big 3. An elite shooter. And they’re all veterans.
While the Grizzlies may need another veteran — I’ll reserve my thoughts for the primer there — this trade leaves a net of -3 for veterans. The depth outside the Big 3 and Butler would be incredibly young, and it just trims the margin of error for multiple playoff series significantly.
Yes, Jimmy Butler’s camp has made it clear that he doesn’t want to be in Memphis. However, that hasn’t deterred my overall thoughts.
Trolls
LeBron James, Ty Lue, and Giannis Antetokounmpo
Look, I said any trade targets, and people understood the assignment. I didn’t see a NBA coach being on this list though.
Nope, Not Interested
Drew Eubanks, Jordan Clarkson, Clint Capela, Kyle Kuzma, Chris Duarte, Miles Bridges, Nic Claxton, Royce O’Neale, Harrison Barnes
I’m out on Drew Eubanks.
Jordan Clarkson is fine, but I’m just not in the camp that a “bench bucket-getter” that’s smaller and doesn’t defend is a need for the Grizzlies. The archetype is overrated.
Clint Capela is not Houston Clint Capela, and he’s rather expensive… even at an expiring contract.
Kyle Kuzma is expensive both this year and beyond. I just wouldn’t be willing to met Washington’s price from a pick standpoint either.
Chris Duarte is probably on his way out of the league.
Putting Miles Bridges in this category is for non-basketball reasons. Just a terrible culture and PR move.
I’m disappointed with how Nic Claxton has shrunk in this context with the Nets, nor do I want to meet Brooklyn’s price in salaries and draft capital.
Royce O’Neale isn’t a needle-mover, nor will Phoenix move him for bench pieces.
Harrison Barnes is fine, but I’m not sure how much of a difference he makes for the postseason at this stage of his career, especially in the 3-and-D role.
Improbable Reunions
Steven Adams, Jonas Valanciunas
Miss Adams and Valanciunas, but the Grizzlies moved on from them for a reason.
Injury Woes
Mitchell Robinson, Wendell Carter, Malcolm Brogdon
There’s no sign Mitchell Robinson is going to play this season.
Wendell Carter has been hurt often the past few years.
Malcolm Brogdon has a lengthy injury history. The last two seasons, he’s been infrequently available. It does pose the question of it reflecting his injury state, or the rebuilding team putting him on ice. Regardless, it’s a risky dice to roll.
Good player, not a clean fit
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Chris Boucher, TJ McConnell, Anfernee Simons, Jordan Poole, Rui Hachimura
Bogdan Bogdanovic is good. He could potentially add some size, playmaking, and shooting off the bench. His efficiency has slipped this season 30.1% from 3 and having a BPM of -4.9. Would a change of scenery be good? Perhaps. Could this be a sign of an aging decline? Possibly.
Chris Boucher is solid, but I’d prefer any big man they get to be more physical.
TJ McConnell is a small point guard the Grizzlies don’t need, and Indiana is unlikely to trade him.
Anfernee Simons is good and would be an awesome 6th man in Memphis. The fit with Ja is clunky for defensive reasons, but he’d be another player that can create off-the-dribble 3’s. However, Portland is likely to get a more attractive package for Simons (Orlando, please do this).
Jordan Poole is so fun, but the Grizzlies don’t need a $30M player that can’t play defense, nor fit with their Big 3 on the floor.
Rui Hachimura is fine, but may be a bit overrated with the Laker luster and with the Grizz killer label. I’d also bet the Lakers only deal him if it nets a real impact player at a position of need.
Centers I like but create conundrums
Kelly Olynyk, Larry Nance, Robert Williams, Nikola Vucevic, Day’Ron Sharpe, Andre Drummond, Jakob Poeltl, Walker Kessler, Jalen Duren, Bobby Portis
I like all these centers, but it creates a tough conversation with Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke.
Adding another big man would mean diminishing the role of Edey, maybe even to the point of DNP-CD’s. I don’t think that’s worth it.
In addition, it may cost Brandon Clarke. While skillsets or impact may be equivalent, his cultural importance is unequivocal. It’s a tough move that may not be worth making.
Acquiring a stretch big like Olynyk or Portis would trim Santi Aldama’s role, and I’m not sure those guys are better than him either.
Quick note… it’s awesome seeing Robert Williams playing productive, healthy basketball. In addition, Jalen Duren is unlikely to go, as he’s become a good player for an emerging Pistons team.
All in all, trading for a big man would require diminishing Zach Edey or Santi Aldama’s roles, possibly significantly, or trading Brandon Clarke. I don’t see the Grizzlies in that type of business.
Interesting young players
Haywood Highsmith, Jarace Walker
Haywood Highsmith is officially starting over Jimmy Butler. In addition, he’s starting over recent first-round picks Jaime Jacquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic. That should show what the Heat think about him.
Jarace Walker is only going somewhere if it means Cam Johnson is arriving.
Small salaries
Guerschon Yabusele, Duop Reath
Both of these players are good, but they’d likely push the Grizzlies closer to the luxury tax in a year where the payouts could be massive.
Unattainable, a bit too rich
John Collins, Brandon Ingram, Zach LaVine, Jerami Grant
John Collins is fine, as he’s found some consistency in Utah. I just can’t stomach $26M in a player likely to be the 3rd big behind Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey.
Brandon Ingram would be higher on my list if he wasn’t an expiring contract this season — and wanted a prettier penny at his extension. If he had one more year, I’d be all over it.
If Zach LaVine made maybe $5M-10M fewer, I’d be beating the drum excessively. He’d be my top target. In terms of efficiency, volume and versatility, he may be one of the 3-4 best shooters on the planet. In addition, he’s another guy that can create his own offense. The bridge to the money likely requires something similar to the Jimmy Butler package, and that’s a hard pill to swallow with the loss of depth.
Jerami Grant is a good player that fits what the Grizzlies need on the wing. I’m skeptical of bringing him in solely for the fact that he’ll be making $70M over 2 years when Jackson’s next contract is into effect — though he has a player option for the 2027-28 season. Do the Grizzlies want to pay that price for their 4th guy when Jackson’s due for over $50M annually on his next deal?
Unattainable, unlikely to be traded
Caleb Martin, Mark Williams, RJ Barrett, Trey Murphy, Naz Reid, Deni Avdija
Caleb Martin is a cheap, starting-quality veteran wing that’s more beneficial to the Sixers in a bounce-back year next season rather than as a trade chip.
Mark Williams is a part of the Hornets’ core.
I don’t see why the Raptors would trade RJ Barrett — unless it’s for the rumored Brandon Ingram.
Closing with Trey Murphy, Naz Reid, and Deni Avdija. I don’t see them getting traded, but if they became available, I’d send it in a massive haul to get them.
Trey Murphy recently locked in an extension, and the Pelicans have been giving him a ton of reps in this lost season. While he fits the mold of the big wing that can shoot the heck out of the ball, he’s probably at the tippy top of the Pelicans’ interior pecking order.
Naz Reid is a cultural phenomenon in Minnesota, but he’s also a damn good big man that can play next to Rudy Gobert or play the 5. If he became available, I’d offer two unprotected picks, but I’d be willing to bet he’ll get paid when Julius Randle’s money comes off the books.
Finally, Deni Avdija —a player that made my “intriguing targets” column last deadline — would be my top target if he became available. He fits that Aaron Gordon mold of the big forward connector that’s a playmaker, driver, scorer, and tough defender. He could toggle between the 3 and 4, and potentially amplify what the Grizzlies are trying to do. However, Portland nd’s Assistant General Manager Mike Schmitz — formerly of ESPN and Draft Express — has been a long admirer of Avdija, leading me to believe he’s a piece for their future rather than a shiny asset to receive a haul for.
I’ll wrap up part two when my trade deadline primer comes out early next week, where I’ll break down targets who could be realistic targets ahead of February 6th.
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