As the NBA trade deadline was dwindling down to its final minutes the ESPN Today crew brought up the Memphis Grizzlies as a topic of discussion. The team hadn't made a move up until that point and the topic of "Is there a team that's a move away from contention" came up.
Kendrick Perkins named the Memphis Grizzlies as his team of choice, which had been the general consensus around the Grizzlies fanbase and others on the outside looking in. However, the team settled for shedding salary by trading Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia in return for Marvin Bagley III and Johnny Davis in a three-team trade with the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings.
While that was not the type of package expected back for Marcus Smart, former Golden State Warriors General Manager Bob Meyers gave insight into why the Grizzlies were unable to make the necessary move.
Other Stars said "no" to being traded to Memphis
While it was no secret that Jimmy Butler wanted no part of a trade to the Memphis Grizzlies throughout the month of January, Bob Meyers name-dropped Kevin Durant as another target the Grizzlies inquired about ahead of the trade deadline.
While trades can still be made when star player don't have a no-trade clause, their input matters when it comes to where they want to go. After Perkins said the Grizzlies needed a high-level wing that they have been attempting to trade for, Meyers responded with "Memphis knows what he said because they tried on Jimmy Butler and Kevin Durant. The problem is those guys said no."
Lol Bob Myers accidentally leaked that the Grizzlies were trying to get Kevin Durant on live TV pic.twitter.com/53SbMucKMs
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 6, 2025
Kevin Durant's insertion into the general trade conversation came this week during the midst of the Jimmy Butler saga, as the Suns were unable to complete a deal for Butler without Bradley Beal executing his no-trade clause. Due to this, the Suns began to explore deals for Kevin Durant as their season continued to disappoint.
While the Durant rumors were surrounded around a Golden State Warriors return, other teams inquired with the Suns for Durant. While the Grizzlies seemed to be locked in on acquiring Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson, a call to the Suns for Durant isn't a surprise.
The Grizzlies have a solid young wing rotation with Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson, and Vince Williams, Jr., but their lack of playoff experience is no secret when it comes to the biggest stage. Ultimately, the team's search for a big move failed, but it's not the end of the world as the buyout market takes precedence.