Trade idea sends $72 million budding star wing to Grizzlies
By Mark Nilon
The Memphis Grizzlies have finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference standings in each of the last two seasons and, though it’s certainly a tremendous regular season accomplishment, all they have to truly show for it are two consecutive early playoff exits.
With the likes of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane serving as the team’s focal points, it’s rather evident that Taylor Jenkins’ squad has ample talent at its disposal.
That said, what seems to be even more apparent is that they may need one more piece to finally thrust themselves over the proverbial hump and into the legitimate contender conversation.
Said piece could prove to be in the form of Toronto Raptors wing OG Anunoby, and, should he be available on the block, the Grizzlies must strongly consider pursuing one particular trade in an effort to acquire his services.
Though recent talks and discussions among some fans and media pundits have seemingly been pushing the idea of the Grizzlies chasing Raprots All-Star Pascal Siakam, despite his impressive array of skills, for many reasons the 29-year-old just doesn’t seem to be a good fit within the club’s rotation.
His teammate OG Anunoby, on the other hand, would be and the reports that Memphis made a “hard run” at him around the 2023 trade deadline suggest GM Zach Kleiman feels this way as well.
As far as their starting lineup is concerned, their most glaring weakness seems to be at the three spot where recently departed Dillon Brooks resided for the better part of the last six years.
Though they may have a few replacement options worthy of consideration, with his impressive length (6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan), defensive versatility, highly efficient shooting stroke, and championship experience the title-hopeful Grizzlies may not find a better fit for their needs than Anunoby.
With every passing season since entering the association back in 2017, the 26-year-old has managed to continuously improve upon his overall game and, over the last three years, has established himself as a legitimate budding star while boasting stellar two-way averages of 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and just shy of a block while shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from deep.
Adding Anunoby to this Grizzlies core would instantly create one of the best defensive trios in the league with him running alongside the two most recent Defensive Player of the Year award winners in Marcus Smart and Jaren Jackson Jr. while plugging him into the rotation alongside Jackson, Desmond Bane, and, upon his return from suspension, Ja Morant would give the club a legitimate big-four.
On top of all this, considering the fact that he’s only in his mid-20s, once his current four-year, $72 million contract expires in 2025, Memphis could then easily re-up for a multitude of more years with him during the prime of his career, thus giving this aforementioned group the ability to chase titles for a long time.
With the current crop of perennial contenders such as the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Lakers aging out, perhaps now is the perfect time for the Grizzlies to cash in their chips for the final piece to their championship puzzle.
OG Anunoby seems to be the ideal target worth taking a chance on, and this proposed package would be well worth parting ways for in exchange for his services.
