3 implications of the Memphis Grizzlies’ trade with the Pelicans

Implication No. 3: The Memphis Grizzlies moved up in the draft, which should pay dividends in the future

At the end of the day, this is the part of the trade that really matters. The Memphis Grizzlies wanted to move up in the 2021 NBA Draft and they did just that through this one. Sure, they had to give up more than initially expected, but they didn’t lose any future assets.

Specifically, trading away Valanciunas may have gotten them out of a sticky contract situation down the road. Now, Memphis could likely extend Steven Adams for cheap and open up room for players like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Even more promising, Memphis moved up to the No. 10 spot in the 2021 NBA Draft. This puts them in range to bring in a high-impact player that they wouldn’t have been able to find at the 17th-overall pick, where they were before.

Here are some names that are floating around the 10th spot in this year’s draft.

• Davion Mitchell
• Franz Wagner
• James Bouknight
• Keon Johnson

Rather than picking up an extremely risky player, Memphis now saw their options open right up. If there’s a team that knows how to draft, it’s the Grizzlies. Seeing them at the number 10 spot in this year’s draft should strike fear in opposing teams.

The Grizzlies could still continue to trade up if they aren’t happy with the 10th spot. With Eric Bledsoe, a couple of first-round picks, and Steven Adams, there’s a world of possibilities.