8 intriguing, realistic trade targets for Memphis Grizzlies
Part 2 of the trade deadline mailbag. I break down the 8 most intriguing, realistic trade possibilities for the Memphis Grizzlies. Why it could/couldn't happen, and what it'd likely take.
And we’re down to 8 intriguing trade possibilities. If you missed part 1, click here to skim before reading this one.
More trades feel inevitable after the Grizzlies’ trade with Steven Adams — one that brought more second-round picks and an expiring contract. With the team set on creating more flexibility, while also bolstering its contention chances for next season, the Grizzlies will likely have more news on the trade front over the next 6 days.
On top of cap flexibility for next season to get further away from the 1st or 2nd apron of the luxury tax, the Grizzlies’ primary need is a starting frontcourt partner next to Jaren Jackson Jr. for 2024-25 and beyond. In addition, they could shuffle one of its young wings for another one with more consistency. Likely, any of the names below would be best suited as potential offseason trade targets.
Of the players suggested as potential trade targets, who are the most intriguing, realistic possibilities for the Memphis Grizzlies?
Why it could/should happen: When putting together a list of ideal young big men to pair next to Jaren Jackson Jr., Wendell Carter Jr. is near the top of the list. He’s an inside-out 5 capable of bullying opponents down low or stretching out to the 3-point line (41.7% from 3). Defensively, he allows the Grizzlies to still deploy its similar roaming strategy with Jaren Jackson Jr., as Carter has thrived guarding the league’s elite big men — when healthy.
With Orlando, they started rolling with Goga Bitadze in the starting lineup when Carter was down, leading to the some belief they could move on from Carter for other upgrades.
Why it couldn’t/shouldn’t happen: Carter is finally in a groove after returning from injury — averaging 14 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in January. The Magic are trying to win, and they still have Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero on rookie contracts until at least next season, before their (likely max) extensions. Carter is on a good contract, so it’s hard to envision them trade him.
What it’d take (fit and financially): Interesting hypothetical for the offseason from friend of the platform, The Daily Memphian’s Chris Herrington. Santi Aldama and Ziaire Williams for Wendell Carter Jr. with the two teams swapping 2024 1st-round picks (currently slated for 7 and 16). That’d be cool. Any other deal would likely involve Luke Kennard or Brandon Clarke with draft compensation going to Orlando for Carter. Tough to see happening, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported the Magic will likely hold on to Carter.
Why it could/should happen: The Knicks have been reported to potentially move Quentin Grimes, and the Grizzlies have been rumored as a team of interest. He’d be a sneaky good trade target. He’d give the Grizzlies 3-and-D depth from the guard/wing spot. This season, he’s boasting a career-best +1.3 defensive EPM (per dunksandthrees), and last year, he ranked in the 100th percentile in the B-Ball Index’s on-ball perimeter defense metric. Especially if the Grizzlies don’t feel like they can afford to keep Kennard, Grimes is a young player capable of bolstering their playoff depth.
Why it couldn’t/shouldn’t happen: The Knicks have been linked to ball-handlers like Malcolm Brogdon, Dejounte Murray, Bruce Brown, and Jordan Clarkson to replace recently-dealt Immanuel Quickley. In any event, Grimes is likely attached to Evan Fournier’s contract to make a deal. The Grizzlies don’t possess an available player with that specific skillset. Unless the Grizzlies and Knicks engage on a 3-team offer, trading for Grimes is a very low possibility.
What it’d take (fit and financially): 3-team trade idea between the Grizzlies, Knicks, and Trail Blazers. Knicks receive Malcolm Brogdon, Grizzlies receive Quentin Grimes, and Blazers receive Evan Fournier, Ziaire Williams, a 1st from the Knicks (via Dallas, 2024), and 2 second’s from Memphis.
Why it could/should happen: Every team looking to break through for a championship is looking for the next Andrew Wiggins and Aaron Gordon — a former lottery pick on a middling/mediocre team that doesn’t quite become a franchise player, but a new scenery raises his new squad’s ceiling. Deni Avdija is the guy.
This season, he’s taking a mini leap as an offensive player — 9.2 to 12.4 points, 2.8 to 3.9 assists, and 29.7 to 38% from 3 (2.6 attempts per game). He’s a stout defender as well, who can defend various positions and archetypes. His malleability on both sides allows for Avdija to serve as a 3 in 2-big lineups, or serve as a 4 alongside Jaren Jackson at the 5.
If Avdija is available, it’s a near no-brainer. The Athletic’s David Aldridge and Josh Robbins also noted the Grizzlies as a “potential fit” for Avdija. At a 4-year, $55M extension starting next season, he could also become one of the biggest bargains in the league quick.
Why it couldn’t/shouldn’t happen: The Wizards don’t have to trade Avdija, as The Athletic’s Aldridge and Robbins noted:
It’s not that the Wizards would want to trade Avdija. Instead, he’s one of the few young players on the team who might command valuable draft picks or a promising young player in return.
The Wizards could very well want to have Avdija next to Bilal Coulibaly going forward, and it would be totally conceivable to go down that route.
Teams assessing how much to give up for Avdija would like point to the buy-in on the jumper, as this is the first season he’s above-average as a shooter, though on a relatively low volume.
What it’d take (fit and financially): 1 of Kennard/Clarke, Santi Aldama, a 2026 1st, and a 2027 swap for Deni Avdija — could push up to 2025 and 2026, but don’t want to miss out on Cooper Flagg in the midst of terrible injury luck (again). There are reports Wizards want picks beyond 2024.
Why it could/should happen: I picked Gafford as a player to potentially complement Jaren Jackson long-term with his basis as my rationale:
Gafford may not be on the trade block as the Wizards’ lone big man, unless Washington leans heavy into their rebuild (tank for Cooper Flagg). Gafford has shot 70% from the field for his career, making the most of his minimal touches. He’s also a formidable rim protector and rebounder.
His combination of rim deterrence, screen setting, and vertical spacing offers a tremendous intersection of the strengths between both Clarke and Adams. Pairing Gafford with Jaren Jackson at the 5 would give the Grizzlies the most formidable rim protection in the league.
Why it couldn’t/shouldn’t happen: Daniel Gafford’s name has been popping up in trade rumors over the past few weeks. He’s one of two pure big men on the roster, so it wouldn’t be advantageous for the Wizards to deal him unless there’s an offer they can’t refuse.
What it’d take (fit and financially): Like the Carter trade, maybe Ziaire and Santi + higher pick for Gafford + lower pick. Wizards should be a lock for the top-6 pick, still in the ballpark for a good player. (Originally had Adams/higher pick for Gafford/lower pick).
Why it could/should happen: Corey Kispert isn’t quite the bullseye shooter he was in college, regressing to 36.4% from 3 this year. However, he’s a dynamic movement player, which bolsters a halfcourt offense. He boasts a 61.8 effective field goal percentage off screens and generates 1.7 points per possession off cuts, per Synergy Sports. Trading for him would be one to bolster the team’s wings depth and halfcourt offense, while his shooting progresses closer to what it was last season (42.4%, 5.2 attempts per game).
Why it couldn’t/shouldn’t happen: While Kispert provides offensive punch off the bench, his defense is rather lacking. His lateral quickness makes him susceptible to getting hunted defensively, which doesn’t bode well for a playoff context. Could it be mitigated with a better defensive infrastructure? Memphis provides such an environment where he could be hidden better defensively.
What it’d take (fit and financially): Ziaire Williams and 2 second-round picks for Corey Kispert. Surely, teams interested in Kispert would trump this offer with a protected 1st-round pick.
Why it could/should happen: It’s quite simple with Nick Richards. He’s young, effective without commanding much of an offensive load, a solid rebounder, and a strong rim protector. It wouldn’t take much to acquire Richards, as he’s only making $5M this season — and $5M in each of the next 2 seasons, too. He’d be a sneaky trade target with potential to be a decent starter, or a very good backup big man.
Why it couldn’t/shouldn’t happen: Richards is fine, but his value is tough to gauge. How many assets does it take to get him? He’s seen spot starter minutes on a bad team, so his upside as a permanent starting center is questionable. Richards is under contract for two more seasons. It’s fair to suggest drafting a big man with better cost control and higher upside than shelling out assets for Richards. Regardless, he’d provide good, much-needed depth.
What it’d take (fit and financially): 2 second’s for Nick Richards into a traded player exception. That seems fair and doable.
Why it could/should happen: Before the barrage of injuries hit, Kevon Looney was one of my favorite sneaky trade targets. He’s good at a lot of the Steven Adams traits — assist percentage (15.9, 80th percentile among bigs, per Cleaning the Glass) and rebounding (13.4 offensive rebound percentage, 95th percentile; 24.6 defensive rebounding percentage, 92nd percentile — dunksandthrees). His contract is appealing too. His $8M next season is partially guaranteed at $3M, so it could be an added asset for moves this summer.
Why it couldn’t/shouldn’t happen: Looney has been a key fixture in the Warriors’ culture, so it’s tough to envision them trading him. He’s also losing a step with lengthy injury history.
What it’d take (fit and financially): 2 of David Roddy, Ziaire Williams, Xavier Tillman, or John Konchar for Kevon Looney. Don’t know where picks would go.
Why it could/should happen: It’s relatively simple: no one alleviates the Steven Adams loss like Andre Drummond. He’s not a good rebounder, he’s a generational one. He’s sneaky at generating defensive events — ranking in the 100th percentile among big men in steal percentage (3.1), per Cleaning the Glass. Drummond would help the Grizzlies return to being a dominant team on the glass upon arrival.
Why it couldn’t/shouldn’t happen: Drummond is on an expiring contract, and the Grizzlies shouldn’t part with assets for rentals in a gap season. If the team was healthier, I would understand the rationale a bit more.
What it’d take (fit and financially): 1 of Ziaire Williams, David Roddy, John Konchar, or Xavier Tillman and 2 second-round picks for Andre Drummond. Don’t see Chicago trading without more second’s or a protected 1st-round pick. Don’t see Memphis doing such a trade.
Alright, again thank you for all the suggestions. It’s a fun exercise that I’ve done for 2 years, and plan on doing so annually.
Here’s where I land on a “big board” of these 8 trade targets.
Big Board of desirability: Wendell Carter Jr., Deni Avdija, Quentin Grimes, Daniel Gafford, Corey Kispert, Nick Richards, Andre Drummond, Kevon Looney
Big board of attainability: Richards, Kispert, Avdija, Grimes, Gafford, Looney, Drummond, Carter
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