Why the Memphis Grizzlies may soon get a trade offer from the Bulls

The Memphis Grizzlies are off to a great start to the 2021-22 NBA season, with one of the best starting fives in the entire league.

A revamped starting five, built out of necessity due to Dillon Brooks’ injury and Jaren Jackson being healthy, required Kyle Anderson to move to the bench. Prior to this season, he’d been a long-time starter for the team, providing the team excellent results as a stretch four.

This season, Anderson is averaging 22 minutes, 6.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game so far, yielding a nice return for the Grizzlies’ second unit.

The Chicago Bulls, unfortunately, just lost their starting power forward Patrick Williams to a season-ending injury, leaving a big vacancy in their starting lineup.

The Memphis Grizzlies may be getting a call from the Bulls shortly because they have a statistical doppelganger to replace him.

Will the Memphis Grizzlies trade Kyle Anderson to the Bulls?

There are several reasons a deal makes sense for both teams— here’s why.

In the handful of games this season, Williams averaged 24.9 minutes, 6.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game— strikingly similar to that of Kyle Anderson.

The Bulls are currently tied for first in the Eastern Conference and have shown they can compete with anyone in the NBA, making them a dark-horse candidate for a deep playoff run this season.

Anderson is in the final year of his contract, meaning the Bulls won’t have any obligations to keep him after the season, providing Patrick Williams a return to his starting position.

What would it take for the Grizzlies to trade Anderson? There’s been a ton of speculation among fans of whether or not he’s worth a long-term contract for the Grizzlies moving forward. Why not trade him and see if you can get something instead of losing him for nothing in the summer?

The Grizzlies could help alleviate the Bulls of their log-jam at guard by getting an exciting prospect in Coby White. He’s currently recovering from offseason surgery but should be available by mid-November, according to NBC Sports Chicago. That same outlet also reports the Bulls could be actively shopping the guard.

White, who averaged more than 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists last season for the Bulls would become the sixth man off the bench for the Grizzlies. This would fix one of the biggest flaws we’ve seen in the Grizzlies so far this season. White would give our second unit an incredible spark and provide a consistent number-one scoring option that the team desperately needs on the bench.

This Memphis Grizzlies trade makes total sense for both sides, whether or not they can make the salaries work will be the issue.