3 All-Star trade targets Memphis Grizzlies must avoid

Since selecting Ja Morant second overall back in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies have been viewed by the masses as perhaps the most promising young team in the league. Now, heading into the 2023-24 campaign, the hope is that they can take a leap forward and thrust themselves into the legitimate contender conversation.

Many such as newly-acquired guard Marcus Smart believe the team is “so close” to entering such a group, with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne suggesting that the Grizzlies are perhaps the biggest threat to the reigning champion, Denver Nuggets.

However, though they may be viewed as having a shot, for them to be considered a title favorite it’s evident there’s still work that needs to be done.

Adding more star power to their arsenal could be priority number one.

In the modern-day NBA, such assets are all the rage when it comes to vying for a title. That said, finding the right fit is easily the most important factor of all.

Recently, there have been a number of star players rumored to be available for the right price, some of whom have already been linked to the Grizzlies.

That said, not all of these individuals are seamless fits within Taylor Jenkins’ rotation. In fact, there are three, in particular, that the Grizzlies should steer clear of.

Stars the Memphis Grizzlies must avoid

3. DeMar DeRozan

This summer, a major emphasis for the Memphis Grizzlies has been adding veteran talents to their young roster. From Marcus Smart to Derrick Rose, the idea has seemingly been to surround the club’s premier talents with experienced individuals to help keep them focused and held in check.

One star veteran who also plays a position of need at the wing in DeMar DeRozan could easily be seen by some as the next logical target for the front office to continue bolstering the team’s talent pool and, in turn, add some much-needed wisdom along the way.

While there are certainly several things to like about such an addition, considering the presumably high cost it would take to entice his current employers in the Chicago Bulls to consider a deal, coupled with his desire for a new long-term lofty payday, a pursuit for the DeRozan may not be in the best interest for the Grizzlies after all.

Tack on the fact that they still desperately need some extra long-range firepower (ranked 23 in 3-point shooting during the regular season and third-worst in the playoffs), and coughing up what is likely to be ample assets for a high-priced forward who boasts a career shooting clip of 29.1 percent from deep may not be the ideal option.

They’d be better off putting their proverbial chips in a basket for a younger talent with a higher shooting efficiency.