3 Grizzlies that could surprisingly be available in an expansion draft

By Mark Nilon | Aug 11, 2023

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 29: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies talks with Steven Adams #4 and Santi Aldama #7 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 29, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

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In an August 7 episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Bill Simmons and cohort from The Ringer Ryen Rusillo discussed the concept of the NBA adding two new expansion teams to the league. Per NBA guidelines, in such an event each existing club must protect eight of their own players and make the rest eligible for an expansion draft. Unsurprisingly considering their depth, the first team they discussed was the Memphis Grizzlies.

Both Simmons and Rusillo agreed that the obvious choices for GM Zach Kleiman to hold onto were the four of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Marcus Smart.

However, beyond them, the choice of specific players who would be deemed safe to reside in the remaining four spots is certainly up for debate.

Who could the Grizzlies surprisingly make eligible for an expansion draft?

No matter how the front office opted to address such a scenario, considering there are 12 more players outside of the ones already mentioned that are found attached to contracts this coming season, fans would be bound to find a few shocking names left unprotected.

With this in mind, today we discuss three talents, in specific, who could surprisingly be made eligible for a hypothetical expansion draft.

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