NBA Trade Deadline Move Could Reunite Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies

Zach Randolph has been freed from the Sacramento Kings’ roster ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. It could soon lead to a possibility of rejoining the Memphis Grizzlies if he were to negotiate a buyout.

This year’s NBA Trade Deadline is already hammering the basketball world with transactions. Though the spotlight has included the Memphis Grizzlies and many NBA trade rumors, they could luck into an opportunity to bring Zach Randolph back to the 901.

In Wednesday’s final hours, The Athletic’s Shams Charania broke news of a deal between the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings. The big name being moved in this particular deal is forward Harrison Barnes, but the intriguing factor from a Memphis perspective is Randolph being freed from a Kings organization that has been unwilling to play him.

Zach Randolph is owed $11,692,308, but Sacramento has been reluctant to play him due to their abundance of youth. Their goal is to give maximum growth to their young guys, which is understandable. Still, Z-Bo has some juice left in the tank and has been a prime trade candidate all season long. Honestly, it is surprising that he has not demanded a buyout from his contract with the Kings.

Now heading to Dallas, this is a situation all fans of the Memphis Grizzlies must keep an eye on. This has “buyout potential” written all over it. The Mavericks are not in championship contention and are in the midst of retooling their roster in a major way. It would be surprising to see them utilize Zach Randolph in games this season, and a buyout makes a lot of sense.

Once bought out, this would create a chance for Randolph to rejoin the Memphis Grizzlies organization, where he spent eight NBA seasons as the face of the franchise. The Grizzlies’ season is already lost — and now they are in tank-mode, so losses are almost welcomed — so allowing Zach to finish the season in Memphis makes a lot of sense here.

So, how does it happen, you ask?

The Grizzlies are facing a golden opportunity to shed enough necessary salary via trade of Mike Conley and/or Marc Gasol prior to Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline (3:00 PM Eastern Time), assuming Zach Randolph would be open to rejoining the Grizz on a veteran’s minimum contract. Plus, Memphis’ Front Office would have to be willing to go this route first and foremost.

Additionally, there would have to be an open roster spot to bring Zach aboard. Right now, Memphis sits at 15 players plus two fulfilled two-way spots. Bruno Caboclo is showing some promise on a second 10-day contract, and any trades between now and the deadline could have implications on roster spots (additions or subtractions from the current group of 15).

Still, it is okay to think about it. While Mike and Marc are inevitably on their way out the door, one way to calm the fan base’s emotions is to bring Z-Bo back and officially retire from the NBA as a Grizzly, as it should be. It would make all things right in Grizz Nation.

Time will tell if this idea will gain any traction, and multiple steps are surely required in making it happen, but the first roadblock has officially been cleared prior to the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline. Zach Randolph is out of Sacramento and onto his next endeavor.