The NBA offseason is heating up as trade rumors are abounding even tho the NBA Finals haven't finished yet. Kevin Durant is at the forefront again of trade rumors and is widely expected to be dealt by at least the NBA Draft on June 25th because the Phoenix Suns are looking to receive draft capital back for the aging superstar.
The Memphis Grizzlies got thrown under the bus on NBA trade deadline day as a team that Durant allegedly said no to being traded, so their involvement appears to be muted this time around. Teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Miami Heat have been reported as the destinations most likely to trade for him.
However, after rumors suggested that the Timberwolves were close to securing a deal for Durant, ESPNs Shams Charania announced that Durant's preferred destinations are the Spurs, Rockets, or Heat. With this in mind, the Memphis Grizzlies should enter talks for salary-matching purposes in a multiple-team deal.
A Kevin Durant trade would likely require a third or fourth team
Kevin Durant's $54.7 million salary will be tough to trade directly to another team without involvement from an additional team or two to execute the deal. This is where the Grizzlies need to change their strategy since they aren't a preferred destination for him.
Assuming Durant gets his wish of being traded to one of his preferred destinations, each team has intriguing players the Grizzlies would love to throw their name in the hat for. With the team's need for additional wing help and shooting at all positions, here are the names they should be inquiring about in a multi-team deal.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., forward, Miami Heat
The Grizzlies need physicality, which is what Jaquez Jr. would provide for a team that struggled against physical teams this season. His ability to create his own shot would be welcomed, especially in non-Ja Morant lineups, but his shooting is a concern (31% from three in two seasons). However, he will be entering his third season and already has a skillset that would make him playable. Also, it would be cool to have both "JJJ" nicknames on the same team with Jaren Jackson Jr.
Tari Eason, forward, Houston Rockets
If the Grizzlies lose Santi Aldama in restricted free agency or trade Brandon Clarke, Eason would provide an adequate replacement. Tari Eason is an excellent rebounder off the bench (averaged 6.3 boards in three seasons) and can stretch the floor as a career 34.5% shooter from three. He is also a good defender and good in transition, which plays into the Grizzlies' style of play.
Keldon Johnson, forward, San Antonio Spurs
Johnson played the lowest minutes of his career since his rookie season in 2019-20 last season for the Spurs. It also led to his lowest points since his second season and the lowest three-point percentage of his career. Despite him shooting 31.8% from three, his career percentage is 35.2%, meaning he could provide the shooting on the wing the Grizzlies need, while also possessing the ability to score off the dribble (he shot a career-high 48.2% from the field last season).