'191': Memphis Grizzlies trade outlook, targets
The Memphis Grizzlies will be aggressive to bolster their roster, and the NBA Draft could be the moment Zach Kleiman strikes.
The NBA draft is two days away, and everyone’s refreshing Twitter nonstop for the latest rumors and intel around possible transactions. For the Memphis Grizzlies, this is all we know:
The Grizzlies are looking to be “very aggressive” trading up in the draft, per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
The Grizzlies are dangling future first-round picks for a wing upgrade, per Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto.
The Grizzlies are one of the team’s interested in OG Anunoby, per Marc Stein.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that the Memphis Grizzlies are working to find a spot where Tyus Jones could be a full-time starter, while also searching for an upgrade at the wing. The Clippers and Raptors were mentioned as possible suitors, and the Spurs were a team previously interested.
So let’s get into it — what are some trends and trade targets to watch for with the Memphis Grizzlies over the next couple weeks?
1 Question: How aggressive will Zach Kleiman be to get their guy?
At the trade deadline, the Memphis Grizzlies threw together the following draft capital for a massive upgrade:
all 5 first-round picks and swaps for Kevin Durant
4 first-round picks for Mikal Bridges
3 first-round picks for OG Anunoby
I’m not going to question if they’ll make a move. They will execute a relevant trade. In the past 2 offseason’s, they’ve traded away 3 rotation players — Jonas Valanciunas, Grayson Allen, and De’Anthony Melton. They won’t be complacent or sit on their hands.
A trade will be made, but the magnitude of it is certainly one to ponder. Just how aggressive will the trade package be? At exit interviews, Kleiman said they intend to be “very aggressive,” but won’t do something just to do something. He’s also mentioned at the trade deadline that they put together packages with an amount of draft picks that’d shock us.
So how aggressive will he be?
It depends on who’s available. There’s a world they can throw a treasure chest of picks to get OG Anunoby, or they can also acquire a starting small forward with just the 25th pick — both are possible. Their aggressiveness will pivotal not just to their outlook next season, but to their flexibility down the road.
9 trade targets
OG Anunoby. OG Anunoby is a legitimate needle-mover, the ideal player when thinking of the Grizzlies’ pursuit of upgrading the 3 position. Marc Stein reported in his Substack that the Grizzlies’ interest in Anunoby remains, but Raptors aren’t inclined to move him. He’s arguably the best perimeter defender in basketball, both as a stopper and event creator (led the league in steals per game). He’s a reliable option from downtown, too. It will take a pretty penny to poach him from a stingy Raptors’ front office, but he’s a realistic target that could make the Grizzlies a title contender.
Pascal Siakam. I’m really only mentioning Pascal Siakam for the small antidote that Danny Green mentioned in his podcast “Inside the Green.” After the trade deadline, he said he thought he was getting traded for Siakam. Given the state of the Raptors, it’s worth mentioning. It may not be totally realistic, given the Grizzlies’ need, but it’s an “out of left field” option that would bolster this team’s standing in the Western Conference.
De’Andre Hunter. Keep an eye on Atlanta — new front office, new coach, and an expensive payroll with more financial decisions looming. They’re also depleted of draft assets after trading for Dejounte Murray last offseason. Could Deandre Hunter be attainable? He hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations of a 4th overall pick, but he’s a big-bodied wing that can knock down 3’s and defend the perimeter. He’s also proven to be a playoff gamer as well — 16.7 points and 4.6 rebounds on 48% shooting from the field and 40% from 3 (5 attempts per game) in 16 games . He isn’t a flashy name like Anunoby, but he’d be a reliable wing that’s on the same timeline as it’s Morant/Bane/Jackson core.
Malcolm Brogdon/Derrick White. Maybe I’m channeling my inner Brian Windhorst meme, but the Action Network’s Matt Moore reported to watch out for a Malcolm Brogdon 3-team trade. His money fits the same ballpark as Tyus Jones, but Boston doesn’t make the best sense for him — hence the 3-team trade, where the Celtics can re-route Jones for a wing. Brogdon would be the ideal combo guard to run the offense alongside Bane in the first 25 games of the season, while being the conductor off the bench once Ja returns. Though, I share Derrick White, because I’d prefer him because of his defensive prowess coupled with his secondary playmaking.
Deni Avdija. It’s a firesale in Washington, and though the 22 year-old Avdija may be a guy their new front office values as a long-term piece, it’s worth monitoring. He’s due for an extension, possibly going into restricted free agency next summer. As they’re in “asset accumulation” mode, could Zach Kleiman make them an offer they cannot refuse? Avdija needs to improve as a shooter, but he’s one of the league’s most underrated perimeter defenders (ranking in the 99th percentile in The B-Ball Index’s “on-ball perimeter defense” metric), and he’s a solid secondary playmaker as a forward (2.8 assists per game). The Grizzlies could look to acquire Advija to be the long-term answer at the 3, banking on the outside jumper to develop to elevate him to one of the best 3&D role players out there.
Kyle Kuzma. One of the trickier players to gauge because of his free agent status, Kyle Kuzma would be an interesting name for a pickup through a sign-and-trade. He’s not a prolific outside shooter, but he has more pop off the dribble to create his own shot — with steady improvements as a playmaker as well. He’s become a mad man on the glass as well. The questions: Could he defend the opposing team’s best player? Could he space the floor? Would he want to come to Memphis? Either way, the Grizzlies unlock fascinating lineup combinations with Kuzma at the 3 or the 4.
Dorian Finney-Smith/Royce O’Neale. I’m going to group these players, because I’ve dived into them on SubTsak before. They’re not the most attractive trade targets, but they’re solid veteran wings that’d elevate this team’s shooting and provide solid defense from the perimeter. Also, they wouldn’t cost too much to acquire either.
Jerami Grant. This addition has a fat asterisk next to it, as Damian Lillard’s status looms large over the league. If Dame Time is finally up in Portland, the Grizzlies could very well try to make a sign-and-trade play for Grant. He’s improved as a scorer since his days in Denver, and he could be an underrated piece that could elevate this team as a 3-and-D+ wing.
Gordon Hayward. Keith Parrish, aka Fastbreak Breakfast, threw together a trade machine deal with Gordon Hayward coming to Memphis with Brandon Clarke and Tyus Jones leaving. It’s a good idea — they can free up long-term money with his expiring contract, he can facilitate in pinches, and he can shoot the 3-ball. The fit is murky, because they’d still need a defensive stopper. However, he’s a good veteran wing that could raise the floor for the Grizzlies while Ja is out for 25 games — and provide a sizable expiring contract for potential deals at the trade deadline.
1 Take: The player should fit in lineups next to the Core … + Kennard/Adams
The Grizzlies have found formulas around their core of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. with Steven Adams and Luke Kennard.
Last year, the Grizzlies outscored the opponents by 11.0 points per 100 possessions (329 total) with their “Big 3” and Steven Adams — and that number was 9.2 in 1294 possessions in the 2021-22. With Adams as a connective hub at the high post, both as a screener and passer, he frees up so much spacing for Ja Morant and Desmond Bane to dissect the defense. Defensively, he also provides solid drop coverage to let Jaren Jackson Jr. serve as the rim runner, creating a forest for drivers to finish against with their stellar rim protection.
The pairing with them and Kennard needs to be explored more, but the results thus far are so damn tantalizing. In the regular season, the Grizzlies blitzed their opponents with a +39.5 net rating (142.5 offensive rating, 103 defensive rating). In 60 playoff possessions, they torched the Lakers by 30.1 points per 100 possessions (131.7 offensive rating, 101.6 defensive rating). The spacing is riveting, as Morant is flanked by two elite shooters and a stretch big. Even if the 5th guy isn’t much of a shooter, you have to be careful before collapsing the paint, or else you’re giving up an open trey to Bane or Kennard.
Obviously if a larger trade materializes and a tough call needs to be made (for example, Siakam), Kleiman will do whatever is necessary to bolster this roster around Morant, Bane, and Jackson. Fitting along their star trio is a necessity, but a clean fit as the 5th guy next to those 2 role players with elite skills is just as enticing.
It provides more optionality in closing lineups. A trade acquisition that can slide in the 3 with the normal starting 5 should provide the defensive chops and size to make it a smothering frontcourt, while spacing the floor to give their trio optimal driving lanes and a reliable target in drive-and-kick scenarios. In lineups with Kennard subbed in for Adams, their defense has to be good enough to relieve pressure off Jaren Jackson Jr., and their shooting has to open up the floor for Morant like the Red Sea.
Optionality is pivotal, especially in the playoffs where coaching chess moves with gameplanning and rotation patterns can swing a series. Whoever the Grizzlies acquire has to be a malleable part of the system, capable of thriving with the core and its other key cogs.
These next 2 days are going to be a whirlwind, and even if a trade doesn’t happen on draft night (or if it comes across as minuscule), don’t rule out moves to be made at any point in the offseason.
Zach Kleiman and the Memphis Grizzlies will look to better this team to advance deep in the postseason. We’re about to find out how far they’ll go to accomplish this offseason goal.
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