Why the Memphis Grizzlies should resist tempting Kevin Durant trade

The Memphis Grizzlies have entered discussions with the Brooklyn Nets to discuss a trade for Kevin Durant, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The report doesn’t single out the Grizzlies so much as it adds them to the list of teams who have reportedly inquired or expressed interest in acquired the veteran superstar. Charania mentions the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors as “the most serious candidates.”

But, it’s still worth discuss the possibility of the Grizzlies outbidding some of the favorites and pulling together an intriguing offer to acquire the unbelievably talented 12-time All-Star and two-time NBA Champion.

Memphis Grizzlies should bet on themselves and pass on Kevin Durant trade

However, the Grizzlies should first ask themselves if they really want to go all-in on a player entering his age-34 season, even if he is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.

Durant has played 70 or more games just twice in the last eight seasons. Rumors have swirled regarding the reasons why Durant has decided to leave not one, not two, but now three different franchises— Oklahoma City, Golden State and Brooklyn.

Reports have recently surfaced that he gave Nets owner Joe Tsai a choice to trade him or fire Head Coach Steve Nash and GM Sean Marks.

That sort of attitude has no place in a culture Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins and Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman have worked so hard to cultivate and craft from the ground up.

That sort of approach from Durant goes directly against the grain of what the philosophy has been in Memphis. Even superstar Ja Morant talks about how he’s “beneath no one” and is a walking example of that— he even has it tattooed on his arm.

Kevin Durant is a generational talent, but how many years does he have left in the tank? Ja Morant is on the books for the next six seasons with the Grizzlies, which is when Kevin Durant will be 40.

Should Kleiman really surrender young players that are still finding their way in the league— players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Ziaire Williams, and the slew of rookies drafted this summer— for Durant? These are players that could end up being All-Star level players once they hit their full potential.

Does a lineup of Morant, Durant and role players make this a championship team? I don’t think so. I think Morant, Bane, Jackson and players who adapt to Jenkins’ system will have a longer and wider championship window than one with Durant that lasts for just a few years.

What happens if Durant comes to Memphis and they can’t get the job done? Does he ask to leave again after a couple of seasons? Then, the Grizzlies will have immense pressure to figure things out before Morant becomes a free agent (or does he look for an exit at that point, too?). At that point, the team will be left with few players to develop, hardly any draft picks and a ton of buyers remorse. It’s too great of a gamble.

Why not build the next-gen Core 4? We’ve seen countless championships won by teams built with really good talent and even better role players: the early aught Spurs, the 2004 Detroit Pistons, the 2019 Toronto Raptors and the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks.

The Grizzlies should bet on developing the players they have and creating the longest window possible of winning championships in Memphis.

Do you want a three or four-year window with Durant or a 10 to 15-year hypothetical window with Ja Morant?

I’m betting on 12 every time.