3 Realistic trades to make Grizzlies serious threats in Western Conference
With several big shifts happening throughout the NBA offseason, you have to wonder if the Memphis Grizzlies are going to get left behind in the Western Conference arms race.
We saw the Dallas Mavericks acquire Christian Wood, the Minnesota Timberwolves trade for Rudy Gobert, the Trail Blazers pick up Jerami Grant, the Denver Nuggets swoop in for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the LA Lakers bring in Patrick Beverley via trade.
The Grizzlies made a few moves this offseason, but it was largely swapping experienced players for cheap (and hopefully), productive rookies.
There’s a contingency among Grizzlies fans that don’t want to put so much stock in unproven talent to keep moving this team forward. A young veteran might be a necessary piece to keep up with the Jones’ in the Western Conference.
I’ve cobbled together three trade scenarios that could make sense for the Memphis Grizzlies that shouldn’t disrupt the core of Morant, Bane and Jackson. Let’s take a look.
Jordan Clarkson could be dynamic weapon for Memphis Grizzlies
The Utah Jazz are in the midst of a fire sale, having just shipped off superstar Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a blockbuster trade. They also parted with 3x Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this offseason.
That leaves just a few holdovers from their core unit: Mike Conley Jr., Bojan Bogdanovic, and Jordan Clarkson— all seem like imminent threats to be traded for the clearly rebuilding Jazz.
Could the Grizzlies find a way to pluck one of these players and bring them to Memphis? Of the best players likely available, Jordan Clarks would be a perfect fit for the Memphis Grizzlies.
A trade package that includes Ziaire Williams, Danny Green, a 2024 first-round pick (via Golden State Warriors), and a 2025 second-round pick (via New Orleans) might get the conversation started to get the 2020-21 NBA Sixth Man of the Year to Beale Street.
Clarkson is a prolific scorer and would create instant fits for defenses when paired with Ja Morant. The former second-round pick averaged 16.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, and 2.5 apg in 27.1 minutes played per game last season.
He’s a great closer, too. Imagine a small-ball lineup of Morant, Clarkson, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks and Jaren Jackson Jr. That’s a scary good lineup.
And, most importantly, Clarkson is under contract for the next two seasons and is in the prime of his career.
The Jazz would be getting a prime prospect in Ziaire Williams, who’s shown flashes of potential, they could work on a buyout for Green, and they can throw some more picks in their ever-expanding treasure trove of draft picks culled together this offseason.