Memphis Grizzlies: 3 potential trades to fill void left by injured Jaren Jackson Jr.

#3: Bojan Bogdanovic

The first player that the Memphis Grizzlies may target in the trade market to fill in for Jaren Jackson Jr. is Bojan Bogdanovic. After making the trade that sent Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves, it became very clear that the Utah Jazz may be headed towards a massive rebuild or at the very least building their roster around the championship window of Donovan Mitchell. With Bogdanovic being 32 years old, he does not fit in any feasible championship window for the Jazz and they will be looking to get some value out of him. Despite being 32 last season, Bogdanovic still put up incredible numbers on an overall successful Utah Jazz team. He started in every game that he played in, and along with this, he put up 18.1 points per game on 38.7% from three.

According to Sam DiGiovanni from Clutch Points, “One player the Grizzlies could offer Utah is Dillon Brooks”. The mock trade that we decided to go with had the Memphis Grizzlies sending Brooks, Santi Aldama, and a 2023 second-round pick to the Utah Jazz, and in return, they would receive Bojan Bogdanovic and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. This deal would land the Grizzlies an incredible stretch-four option, but he also is already a seasoned starter. Once Jackson Jr. returns, Bogdanovic will be a great scoring option off of the bench.

Along with Bogdanovic, Memphis would also receive a project player in Alexander-Walker. Alexander-Walker appeared to have a very high ceiling coming into the league, however, he has struggled thus far in the NBA. However, he is still only 23 years old and may end up budding into a very quality backup guard in Memphis. The Grizzlies will have quite a project on their hands with Alexander-Walker, as he has not had a single facet of his game excel in the pros. Last season with the Jazz, he averaged 3.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. He did this while shooting 33.3% from the field, 30.3% from three, and a very impressive 91.7% from the free-throw line. Memphis has done an incredible job in the past in developing young players, and in this system under the guidance of the Grizzlies’ phenomenal coaching staff, he could bud into the player that many expected he would be coming into the league. While Jones would be missed for the Grizzlies, finding a player to replace Jackson Jr. is an immediate need for Memphis and if they are able to develop Alexander-Walker, they would also have a quality backup guard in him.