Without question, the biggest task for this Memphis Grizzlies team heading into the 2024 NBA Offseason will be to find a worthy option to slot into their lineup and have man the center position for the foreseeable future.
Since the mid-season departures of both Xavier Tillman and former franchise pivot Steven Adams, the hot-topic discussion among fans and media pundits alike has been the concept of how Zach Kleiman and company will opt to go about finding successors at the vacated position.
From free agency to the upcoming NBA Draft, there have been a slew of ideas broached when it comes to Memphis trying to find a long-term solution to their center spot and, recently, blockbuster trades for an in-his-prime NBA All-Star has been added to the equation.
Grizzlies believed to be best-case destination for Karl-Anthony Towns
In a recent piece by Clutch Points, writer Shervon Fakhimi discussed the hypothetical idea of the recently eliminated Minnesota Timberwolves opting to offload star center Karl-Anthony Town this summer in an attempt to better flesh out their title-hungry rotation to help compliment the likes of fellow centerpieces Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert.
In doing so, he would list off several franchises he believes should be considered realistic landing spots in the event that the four-time All-Star is dealt, though, of the three mentioned, Fakhimi would note that "there may not be a better landing spot" for his services than the Grizzlies.
"Karl-Anthony Towns would bring a physical, low-post presence they've never had in the Ja Morant era. He could defend bruising centers while Jaren Jackson Jr. roams off of non-shooters to protect the paint. Memphis' depth wouldn't take much of a hit either after the emergence of Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson this season. They were the lone two bright spots in a disastrous season for the Grizzlies."Shervon Fakhimi
KAT left it all on the floor, including scoring 44 1H PTS and knocking down 10 triples on way to a new career high of 62.
— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2024
Towns becomes the first player in NBA history with 10+ 3PM, 10+ 2PM, and 10+ FTM in a game. pic.twitter.com/o6EoQtnpSg
One of the most gifted shooting bigs in league history and a highly underrated defender, throughout his nine-year career Towns has proven himself to be one of the best centers the game has had to offer.
Since nabbing his first All-Star nod back in 2017-18, the 28-year-old has posted impressive per-game averages of 23.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 51.6 percent from the floor and 40.4 percent from distance.
Still in the prime of his career, and after proving capable of lifting his game under the bright lights of the postseason, the idea of adding someone of KAT's talents to this Grizzlies team is something that should be of great interest to both the franchise and it's faithful followers.
Slotting him into the lineup would allow Taylor Jenkins the opportunity to officially run a five-out offensive scheme and would provide Ja Morant with a lethal kick-out option on the perimeter when gunning to the rack. His 7-foot, 248-pound frame would also be of great benefit to Morant and Desmond Bane when it comes to his expertise as a screen-setter.
On top of this, he and Jaren Jackson Jr. would create a ferocious frontline with their combination of size and defensive chops.
For the right price, there's no reason to believe that the Grizzlies wouldn't and shouldn't strongly consider a pursuit of Karl-Anthony Towns should he be floated on the trade market this summer.