Memphis Grizzlies: 3 players who might not finish the 2021 season on Beale Street

Player No. 3: Memphis Grizzlies G De’Anthony Melton could be lost in the shuffle

Let me preface this slide by saying that there is no actual reason to believe that the Grizzlies will trade De’Anthony Melton. Anything that I present on this slide is purely speculation based on the Grizzlies’ activity this offseason.

That said, there are a lot of signs that could point to the possibility that Melton could be traded mid-season.

For starters, the Grizzlies brought in more wing players than anybody expected this offseason. It started with Ziaire Williams, who the Grizz traded up to take in the 2021 NBA Draft — it continued with Memphis’s acquisition of Jarrett Culver.

Melton was one of the earliest Grizzly players signed to a long-term deal, and at the age of 22, his $8.6 million yearly salary seems like a steal for the foreseeable future. This, however, may make him into a more valuable trade asset than a bench player. Melton’s 9.1 points and 1.2 steals per contest could stagnate.

If Memphis truly plans to fill Ziaire Williams into the lineup, De’Anthony Melton’s role can’t realistically grow very much from where it’s already at. Again, there’s no reason to believe that Melton will be traded, but he should be a player that the Memphis Grizzlies’ front office looks at as expendable.

The Grizzlies’ busy offseason could leak into next season.