The Memphis Grizzlies will soon be on the clock to deliver a third star to support Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson, Jr.
The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the deepest teams in the NBA with several desirable assets in their possession. Memphis has been making minor trades to collect players on trade-friendly contracts and/or draft picks.
If there’s a team that comes along who wants some playoff-tested veterans? The Grizz have you covered.
If there’s a team that wants young players and draft picks? The Grizzlies have you covered.
Memphis positioned itself to execute a trade for a big-name star. The problem is waiting on a star to become available.
We’ve seen countless trade scenarios involving Ben Simmons, who very publicly has asked to be traded from Philadelphia.
Here are some trade scenarios involving stars not named Ben Simmons that would catapult Memphis into the upper echelon of the Western Conference.
Trade Scenario No. 1: The Memphis Grizzlies unload assets to bring in a superstar
First up, is a package involving CJ McCollum being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. It appears that the Blazers and Damian Lillard have smoothed things over after some summer reports speculating he may request a trade.
The best way to get Lillard some help to make a playoff push is to trade their second-best player: CJ McCollum.
McCollum would solve a lot of problems that the Grizzlies have never been able to solve in recent years: a knock-down three-point shooter and pure scorer. Last season McCollum averaged 23.1 points per game and hit more than 40% of his three-pointers.
If the Memphis Grizzlies trade for the 2015-16 NBA Most Improved Player it would likely give them a starting lineup of: Ja Morant, CJ McCollum, Desmond Bane, Brandon Clarke, and Jaren Jackson, Jr.