The Memphis Grizzlies need to trade a big man

Memphis Grizzlies trade options: Center position

In a position-less 2021 NBA league, it’s hard to distinguish who specifically fits at the center position for this team. Just look at rookie Xavier Tillman. In college, he was a sure-fire center and fully capable of defending any NCAA big man that you throw against him. But at 6’8″, there are plenty of power forwards, much less centers, that he couldn’t defend quite yet in this league.

That’s where things get tricky – it’s not so black and white. That being said, the Grizzlies definitely aren’t as deep at center as they are at the power forward position. There’s only one true center on this team in Jonas Valanciunas. He may be older than most of the other guys, but he’s an extremely valuable member of this squad.

The other center on the squad, Gorgui Dieng, isn’t as true to his position. At 6’10”, we see him flip-flop between center and power forward. That being said, Jaren Jackson Jr. holds down that role with more success, so upon his return, Dieng’s value nearly disappears entirely.

Dieng will be an unrestricted free agent after this year, but getting his $17 million contract off of the books could open the door for some huge pickups in Memphis. It wouldn’t be an easy trade, but it would be ideal for this team if they could get it done.