Grizzlies trade proposals pairs Ja Morant with 6-time All-Star wing

Though the number one objective for this Memphis Grizzlies front office is to try and construct the best roster they possibly can, in truth, such a task can be broken down into something more specific: surround Ja Morant with the proper supporting cast.

Grind City currently has a slew of top-notch talents donning the blue and gold threads with the likes of All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr., budding star Desmond Bane, and defensive savant Marcus Smart, but their title hopes and dreams are and will continue to be influenced by the way in which the superstar guard meshes and performs alongside his cohorts.

As of this writing, Memphis appears to be set up quite nicely for a successful run during the 2023-24 campaign, especially once Morant returns from his impending 25-game suspension. That said, despite their expectations, the Grizzlies still find themselves with a glaring weakness out on the wing that, prior to their October 25 tip-off, many believe they need to find an answer for.

NBA Analysis Network’s James Piercey believes to have come up with a solution by way of trade to address such a rotational conundrum.

Trade proposal sends DeMar DeRozan to Grizzlies to pair with Ja Morant

As noted by both fans and media pundits alike this offseason, not only should the Grizzlies be interested in adding on a serviceable starting wing, but a two-way one at that.

Though perhaps past his franchise cornerstone days, DeMar DeRozan is just two seasons removed from finishing within the top 10 in the MVP race and is coming off his sixth All-Star selected season, as he finished 2022-23 off with stellar averages of 24.5 points, 5.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals on 50.4 percent from deep.

To Piercey, adding the 34-year-old would not necessarily be an attempt to construct the league’s newest “Big-four” but, instead, it would simply bring on that extra firepower at the three spot with a player who’s proven to be a more than reliable commodity throughout his professional tenure.

"“If they were willing to move Jaren Jackson Jr. to the 5 full-time and find a way to add another sweet shooting wing, they could have solid spacing. DeRozan’s ability as a secondary playmaker behind Ja Morant could make Memphis more dangerous as a result. Speaking of Morant, there’s some benefit in adding DeRozan to replace him while he starts the season serving a suspension,” Piercey wrote. “The Grizzlies are title contenders adding the best player in this trade. If DeRozan is available, they’d have to at least consider it.”"

Of course, with this exchange, the Grizzlies would find themselves parting ways with several key rotational contributors, namely sharpshooter Luke Kennard and starting pivot Steven Adams, the latter of whom showed with his absence last year just how vital he has been to this franchise.

That said, on paper a starting lineup consisting of Morant, Bane, Jackson, and DeRozan would rival almost any other club’s first-five unit, while the loss of Kennard and Stevens’ services could, in theory, be replaced with low-cost free agency signings (Will Barton, for example, could help bring on added floor spacing) and internal moves (slide JJJ down to the pivot).

In the past, we have labeled DeRozan as a player the Grizzlies may want to avoid trading for, as it was believed that the cost to swipe him away from the Windy City would be far too lofty.

That said, should GM Zach Kleiman and head coach Taylor Jenkins believe all this team is missing is an established wing talent who can excel on both ends of the floor, then this exchange may be one of the more ideal packages to entertain.

While it’s unclear if the Chicago Bulls would even be interested in executing such a transaction, at least from Memphis’ point of view, Piercey’s proposal could wind up being quite beneficial for this title-hungry squad.

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