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Memphis Grizzlies: JaMychal Green Increasing Trade Value or Irreplaceability?

By Christian Dudley

MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 8: JaMychal Green #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 8, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 8: JaMychal Green #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 8, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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JaMychal Green has a contract that screams mid-season trade, but his recent play has been the difference between wins and losses for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Through the Memphis Grizzlies‘ first 25 regular season games, there has not been a lot of positive energy attached to JaMychal Green.

For starters, JaMychal went down with an injury in the Grizzlies’ second game of the season after taking an elbow to the face. The result was a broken jaw, and the loss of Green’s starter status at the power forward position.

From that point forward, Jaren Jackson Jr. received the golden opportunity he needed in order to have his name in the Rookie of the Year hat. “Triple-J” became the starter and has not looked back. The swap in the starting lineup was a change that was inevitable, but it was not expected as soon. It was intended to be a season-long battle.

This was an eerily similar start to the season that JaMychal Green experienced in 2017-18. He began last season with a significant ankle injury. By the time he returned, the Memphis Grizzlies had plummeted in the Western Conference standings. This season, things are vastly different in that regard, but there is a new narrative.

The 2018-19 season marks the final year of Green’s contract, which is paying him $7.9 million. Being under the $10 million mark and having the “expiring” tag, JaMyke is a prime candidate to be traded by February’s NBA Trade Deadline.

It should absolutely be expected that opposing NBA Front Offices will be blowing up the phone of Chris Wallace (Grizzlies General Manager). There are other benefits behind JaMyke that run deeper than contract discussions.

He is 28 years old and should have a handful of prime years remaining in the tank. He is a strong rebounder (led the Memphis Grizzlies with 8.4 boards per game last season) and has stretch ability in his frontcourt game.

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This provides reason for opponents to inquire about JaMychal Green’s services, but it also enables the Grizzlies to think twice on pulling the trigger on any deal involving No. 0.

After starting the season with a best-in-the-West record of 12-5, the Memphis Grizzlies have hit some recent rough patches. Though they have battled through random injuries, the schedule is getting tougher and it will remain that way.

The team has pulled itself out of a rut as JaMychal Green has noticeably flipped the switch on his productivity. His recent play has been inspirational to the Grizzlies’ bench and it has provided a lot of energy that seemed to be missing in losses to the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and Toronto Raptors, respectively.

Playing in the reserve role at power forward and occasional backup center minutes, Green has truly been the difference-maker in last week’s victories against the Clippers (home) and New Orleans Pelicans (road).

He notched a double-double with 19 points (7/12 shooting) and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes in Los Angeles, followed by 24 points (9/12 shooting) and eight rebounds in 28 minutes versus New Orleans.

JaMychal has been playing starter’s minutes due to Jaren Jackson Jr.’s troubling trend of foul issues. Thankfully for the Memphis Grizzlies, they have a tremendous X-factor in Green positioned in the reserve slot when those troubles arise in-game.

The Grizzlies cannot afford to trade JaMychal Green as long as they are in the playoff hunt. Memphis currently ranks sixth in the Western Conference heading into their Monday matchup with the Denver Nuggets. Assuming they continue to win the majority of their games through the early portion of February, it would make most sense to retain JaMyke and perhaps shop Garrett Temple.

If for some unexpected reasons the Grizzlies would sink (a la 2017-18), then trade discussions surrounding Green would make more sense. Even at that, Memphis could likely integrate Garrett Temple’s expiring contract into those same conversations. Temple is set to earn $8 million this season, which is slightly more than JaMychal.

It should be safe to say that JaMychal’s strong play as of late is getting noticed across the league, must like the Memphis Grizzlies’ recognition in the eyes of national media.

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Teams will be calling — that much is inevitable. Chris Wallace must play this situation by ear as the Grizz cannot afford to throw away a postseason appearance in the Marc Gasol and Mike Conley era. This may be the last go-around with this particular core.

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