3 FIBA World Cup players Grizzlies must consider trades for

2. Evan Fournier

Evan Fournier’s inclusion on this list is not so much geared toward the idea of the Grizzlies pursuing a trade for him but, rather, one involving him.

2022-23 proved to be a challenging campaign for the 11-year NBA veteran, as he was removed almost entirely from the rotation for the New York Knicks early on in the season despite having just posted impressive averages of 14.1 points on 38.9 percent shooting from deep and breaking the franchise’s single-season three-point record during the year prior.

Though there may have been varying opinions for why he was ultimately benched, Fournier noted during a July 17 interview with France’s L’Équipe that he never received an explanation for head coach Tom Thibodeau’s polarizing decision. During the sit-down, the swingman would go on to publicly criticize the organization, thus sparking serious rumors regarding a potential trade.

To this point, he’s still on the payroll of the Knicks, though, considering his career averages of 14.0 points on 37.9 percent shooting from distance coupled with his impressive production to this point during FIBA World Cup play with Team France, one should expect there to be several teams across the association inquiring about his services between now and the trade deadline.

That said, considering his rather lofty $18.2 million average price tag, it’s rather plausible that a multi-team exchange would be necessary to move Fournier out of New York.

With their enviable luxury tax space situation coupled with their recent engagements serving as a third party in a trade this summer, the Grizzlies could find themselves open to helping facilitate a deal involving the 30-year-old swingman.