What the Memphis Grizzlies’ 2021 NBA Draft means for a title run
Wait. The Memphis Grizzlies did what?
Fast forward to July 26, 2021, when the Grizzlies agreed in principle to trade away arguably their most consistent player in Jonas Valančiūnas. In return, they received the rights to the Pelicans’ first and second-round picks at the 10 and 41 spots in exchange for their own and they also received Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe along with a first-round pick from the Lakers. All of this was reported via Twitter by Adrian Wojnarowski.
BREAKING: Memphis is finalizing a trade to send Jonas Valanciunas and 2021 Nos. 17 and 51 picks to New Orleans for Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, 2021 picks Nos. 10 and 40 and a protected 2022 first-round pick via the Lakers, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 26, 2021
There were a lot of mixed emotions with this trade because Jonás had become a fan favorite over his tenure as a Grizzly and on the other side of things, they were bringing on historic rival Steven Adams and a cap space-filling contract for Eric Bledsoe. What appeared to be the Grizzlies’ main goal with this trade was obtaining the 10th pick.