3 (almost) untouchable assets for the Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies have a bevy of draft picks coming up in the next few seasons that are too valuable to trade

The Memphis Grizzlies will have six first-round draft picks in the next three upcoming drafts. Here’s how the picks break down.

2022:

1st Round Pick (the team’s own)
1st Round Pick (via the Utah Jazz)
1st Round Pick (via the New Orleans Pelicans via the Los Angeles Lakers)

2023:

1st Round Pick (the team’s own)

2024:

1st Round Pick (the team’s own)
1st Round Pick (via Golden State Warriors)

Looking at just the 2022 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies will very likely have three first-round picks to help stock their roster with young talent to grow with Ja Morant.

CBS Sports lists TyTy Washington (freshman, Kentucky), Matthew Mayer (senior, Baylor), and Kadary Richmond (sophomore, Seton Hall ) as potential prospects available to the Memphis Grizzlies with their draft picks in next year’s NBA Draft.

USA Today’s For The Win lists Roko Prkacin (international, Croatia), Nolan Hickman (freshman, Gonzaga), Hyunjung Lee (junior, Davidson) as possible selections with the picks the Memphis Grizzlies own next year.

The only scenario the Memphis Grizzlies should trade these picks is for a superstar-level talent.

What if, at some point prior to the NBA draft next season, word gets out that Karl-Anthony Towns wants out of Minnesota? Do the Grizzlies call the Timberwolves and offer them three first-round picks, Dillon Brooks and Jaren Jackson, Jr.?

You’d have a hypothetical core of Ja Morant (22 years old), Karl-Anthony Towns (25 years old), Desmond Bane (23 years old), and Ziaire Williams (about to turn 20 years old), and Brandon Clarke (about to turn 25). It’s an interesting scenario to think about for the Memphis Grizzlies.

This is the kind of trade you would consider parting with the treasure trove of picks, otherwise, they could be used to pool together and move up in the draft or to keep and hope you land on a great prospect.