Memphis Grizzlies: Unpacking an intriguing hypothetical trade with Rockets

Should Memphis Grizzlies explore a Christian Wood trade with Houston Rockets?

The Memphis Grizzlies have several decisions to make this offseason in order to keep this team moving forward and progressing toward the goal of winning a championship.

Free Agency has never been a huge boon for this franchise, but this franchise has never had someone as magnetic and alluring as Ja Morant.

Even so, if we play it conservatively, offseason trades has been the primary medium in which this team has retooled its roster and improved. The Grizzlies made trades to acquire Zach Randolph, Tony Allen, and (technically) Marc Gasol to join Mike Conley to form the Core 4 of the Grit and Grind Era.

With this team continuing to surpass expectations in every year of Ja Morant’s career, some are wondering if this is the offseason to start pursing options to create a new Core 4 of Morant, Jaren Jackson, Jr. and Desmond Bane.

One name that’s popped up in recent chatter has been Christian Wood of the Houston Rockets. The 6’10,” 214 lb. journeyman is seen as someone who’s likely on the trade block in order to make room for the team’s eventual 2022 No. 3 overall draft pick— Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, or Jabari Smith.

Bleacher Report linked Wood to Memphis in a recent mock trade proposal. In the trade, the Memphis Grizzlies would receive the former UNLV standout in exchange for Brandon Clarke, De’Anthony Melton and the team’s 2022 No. 22 overall draft pick.

That seems like a high asking price for someone who will be an unrestricted free agent in 2023.

But Wood, who is entering his age 27 season, could slide in nicely to a starting lineup that features Morant, Bane, Brooks and Jackson Jr. He can score, rebound and take pressure off Jackson to contribute on the offensive end consistently.

Wood, who went undrafted in 2015, has played for six NBA teams and four G-League teams in five years. He didn’t really start hitting his stride in the NBA until the 2019-20 season when he suited up for the Detroit Pistons.

After being acquired by Houston in 2020-21, he elevated his game even further, averaging 21 PPG, 9.6 RPG and 1.2 BPG in 32 minutes per game. He was rewarded with a three year, $41 million contract extension that was signed in November of 2020. He’s due $14.3 million next season in the final year of his contract.

Last season, his scoring dipped slightly, but overall he was still solid, despite playing fewer minutes per game (30.8 MPG). He averaged 17.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG and 2.3 APG during the 2021-22 season.

Would the Grizzlies be willing to give up a possible ballhandler in Melton plus the high-ceiling/athletic forward in Brandon Clarke to acquire what could amount to a one-season rental of Wood— someone who’s been a journeyman for most of his career?

Perhaps an offering of Dillon Brooks (who will also be an UFA in 2023), Xavier Tillman Sr. plus a first round pick for Wood and Garrison Mathews would be more palatable for both sides.

The Memphis Grizzlies could rid themselves of Brooks, who has taken it upon himself to embrace the “high-volume shooter” label and could take an endless amount of shots for a team that’s likely looking to return to the lottery in 2023.

The Grizzlies would get some much needed spot shooting from Mathews (36% 3PT in 2021-22) and could perhaps have a decent chance at convincing Wood to stay in Memphis on a long-term deal after playing with Morant for a season.

Wood to Memphis is worth exploring, but the proposal the guys at Bleacher Report have offered up (bench depth) is a price too steep to pay right now.

Christian Wood would make this team more dynamic and flexible to play against various lineup sizes, but they have to get him at the right price.