Grading and ranking each Grizzlies trade so far in the 2021 offseason

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies talks with Jonas Valanciunas #17 against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on October 23, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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Eric Bledsoe, Memphis Grizzlies Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

3. The Memphis Grizzlies’ trade with the Los Angeles Clippers

Eric Bledsoe came to the Memphis Grizzlies in a trade that sent Jonas Valanciunas to the New Orleans Pelicans. The general idea behind this trade was that Memphis was taking on Bledsoe and Steven Adams’ contracts in order to move up to the 10th-overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Some even speculated that Bledsoe would be released from the team.

Fast forward a few weeks and the Grizzlies flipped an aging Bledsoe for 2019’s 6th overall pick in Jarrett Culver and a really solid young role player in Juan Hernangomez.

The only reason why I can’t rank this trade higher is that it’s stuck in the middle of Zach Kleiman’s long-term plans. This trade was a means to an end, and even more specifically, an end that we haven’t seen quite yet.

Still, getting Eric Bledsoe off of the books along is a big feat. Not only did the Grizzlies manage to do that — they managed to get a lot of value out of him. This trade will continue to age well, as long as the Grizzlies front office continues to do their thing.

Trade Grade: B+

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