5 Grizzlies at risk of being traded this summer

2. Brandon Clarke

It wasn't supposed to be like this. Brandon Clarke was supposed to be a high-level role player for the Grizzlies for a long time.

He averaged 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds as a rookie reserve, in just 22.4 minutes of action. He then averaged 10 points and over five rebounds in each of the next three seasons, which is great production for a player outside of the draft lottery.

Unfortunately, injuries exist. It's the sad part about the game.

And Achilles injuries are especially difficult to come back from, even for a 27-year-old like Clarke. But even if he was healthy, it's been proven that he's not the ideal big man for Memphis.

They need someone with more size, who can somewhat shield Jaren Jackson Jr. from having to bang with the trees in the paint, who can also nab rebounds. In other words, Memphis's front office should be focused on trying to find someone who allows them to cover up JJJ's weaknesses.

He's still valuable as a rim-runner, who also provides vertical spacing. Granted, he's not proven to be able to shoot reliably enough, but his ability to shoot free throws at 70 percent has always made one believe he could morph into one. 

He's under contract through 2027, as he inked a four-year $50 million contract extension prior to the 2022-23 season, so any team trading for him would have a young player for the foreseeable future. And based on the rumored trade interest in Robert Williams across the league at the deadline, not to mention the fact that Steven Adams also got traded for three second-round picks to Houston, teams are willing to take a chance on a big with an injury history.

Clarke's $12.5 number would he valuable salary filler for the Grizzlies this summer.