Trade proposal sends Memphis Grizzlies ‘dream’ star wing

Nov 1, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Memphis Grizzlier head coach Taylor Jenkins gives instructions against the Utah Jazz in the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Memphis Grizzlier head coach Taylor Jenkins gives instructions against the Utah Jazz in the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies may have just come across their first win of the season in exhilarating fashion against the Portland Trail Blazers, but, with the way they’re currently constructed coupled with their strength of schedule in the immediate future, they’re far from being a shoo-in to add a significant amount of more games into this column anytime soon.

Unless, of course, they make some significant shakeups such as bolstering Taylor Jenkins’ talent pool.

While Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane have been producing admirably to this point, with the latter making an early case for his first All-Star nod, it’s evident that this club could use at least one more trusty contributor within their rotation.

Mid-December, Ja Morant will serve as such a commodity once he returns from his league-issued suspension, but, should they wish to address this need in the meantime, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley believes the Grizzlies could execute one rather realistic blockbuster.

The proposed deal reads as follows:

Grizzlies finally land ideal wing target O.G. Anunoby in ‘dream’ proposal

Dating back to last year’s trade deadline, the Grizzlies have been reported as having a serious interest in adding O.G. Anunoby to their arsenal. Buckley believes he’s found the package to finally bring him to the 38103.

"“They chased him with a pick-heavy package at the last trade deadline and should see if the Raptors might be more receptive to this kind of future-focused return now that Fred VanVleet has moved on,” Buckley wrote.“Anunoby would be a dream in Memphis. He is about as tenacious and versatile of a wing stopper as you’ll find, and he has always found ways to sharpen his offensive game. He may not fill the Morant-less Grizzlies’ playmaking void, but Anunoby would be a strong support scorer and a reliable floor spacer.”"

A player who can help in both the short and long term considering his particular set of skills and enviable age of 26, Anunoby’s arrival could prove to have an immediate impact on the Grizzlies.

With every passing season, the wing has managed to improve upon his overall game and, now in year seven, he finds himself kicking things off at a career-best pace with impressive averages of 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and just shy of a block on 55.9 percent shooting from the field and 42.5 percent shooting from deep all while boasting a 114 offensive rating, a 107 defensive rating, and a +3.2 box plus-minus.

Already proving capable of meshing well on a team with other stud wings and big men (currently shining alongside Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam in Portland), his addition to Memphis’ lineup could prove to be rather seamless, and, once Morant returns following the 25 game of the year, this four-man unit with the aforementioned two, Bane, and Jackson could wind up being one of the league’s absolute best.