The Dallas Mavericks' shocking trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers still resonates with the entire NBA. Luka's electrifying 45-point performance and the fanfare he received on his return to Dallas on April 9th put an exclamation point on the Mavericks' nightmare season.
While the Mavericks and Lakers' seasons shifted in opposite directions in a deal kept quiet until it happened, many wondered what Dallas could've gotten from other teams. That thought process prompted ESPN to post an article for deals that the other 28 teams could've offered, including the Memphis Grizzlies.
Memphis split their big three with an upgrade
ESPN's Bobby Marks separated the group of teams and trade packages into seven categories. The seven categories were:
- The best offers for
- Swap of All-Star guards
- Superstar backcourt partners
- More bigs for the Mavs
- The apron teams
- Historic draft-pick packages
- Rebuilding teams take the risk
Just off the names of the above categories, it was safe to assume the Grizzlies would slot anywhere above the "Rebuilding teams take the risk." Specifically, the "Swap of All-Star guards" comes to mind, considering the nature of Anthony Davis being included in the Mavericks' deal with the Lakers.
Yes, Anthony Davis is a big man, but he is an All-Star, and the Grizzlies have an All-Star guard in Ja Morant. However, Bobby Marks included the Grizzlies in the "Superstar backcourt partners," pairing Morant and Doncic together.
Desmond Bane was the player that Marks mentioned as the headliner of the deal Memphis could've offered Dallas. His total trade package for Doncic included Bane, Jaylen Wells, Brandon Clarke, and two future first-round draft picks (2027 and 2029).
Being able to roll out a big three of Morant, Doncic, and Jaren Jackson Jr. would make the Grizzlies a clear and potential NBA championship favorite. Three All-Stars and All-NBA players on the same team surrounded by the same supporting cast the team has now (Clarke and Wells are out for the rest of the season) would've made the Western Conference a two-team race at the top.
Final Grade: A+
Desmond Bane is valuable to the Grizzlies as the clear third option, but adding Doncic would be a clear upgrade, especially in tight games. While there would be questions about the defense in the backcourt, the same questions exist with the current backcourt duo for the team.
Trading Wells and Clarke would limit depth, but you have to make that deal to upgrade the team's chances of winning a title if it presented itself.