3 realistic trade targets to make Grizzlies championship favorites
By Mark Nilon
The Memphis Grizzlies find themselves gearing up for the 2023-24 campaign with cornerstone Ja Morant slated to be sidelined for their initial 25-game stretch due to suspension. Despite this hardship, however, they are seemingly still a club striving for greatness.
With GM Zach Kleiman’s savvy offseason decisions headlined by the Marcus Smart blockbuster, not only is it evident that Taylor Jenkins’ team is looking to remain a threat in the West but, in the eyes of ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Grizzlies appear to have the best shot at dethroning the reigning champion Denver Nuggets.
While this is certainly high praise and a confidence boost for both Memphis fans and team personnel alike, should they find an opportunity to better their already solid odds of contention this summer by all means they must take it.
With virtually all of the available high-impact players already snatched up in free agency, perhaps the best way for the front office to acquire another quality contributor may be to scour the trade market.
Looking around the league’s landscape, there are a plethora of names rumored to be potentially available that could feasibly boost the Grizzlies up from contenders to legitimate title favorites.
Today, we at BSB discuss three realistic trade targets Memphis should be monitoring:
Grizzlies trade target No. 3) Alec Burks
Not all impact players require star pedigrees. While Alec Burks may not have that illustrious moniker attached to his name, he is without a doubt someone who could help shore up some of the Grizzlies’ glaring weaknesses if acquired.
A 12-year journeyman, the 31-year-old has created a lengthy career for himself thanks to his abilities as a trusty three-and-D contributor.
Since 2019-20, Burks finds himself sporting impressive per-game averages of 13.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 40.3 percent from distance and boasting a solid defensive rating of 111 throughout his league tenure.
With the offseason departure of Dillon Brooks, the Grizzlies could use some extra talents to log minutes at the wing and serve as a reliable off-ball shooting option and trustworthy defender.
For a realistic cost of a couple of second-rounders, Alec Burks may be an ideal buy-low player for Memphis to pursue.