Ex-Grizzlies VP says 'expect' Memphis to move veteran, sign rookie guard

The Memphis Grizzlies kicked off the final month of trade season with a surprising move that sent big man Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets, a transaction that is believed to have been heavily influenced by the front office's desire to create more salary flexibility and add extra draft assets ahead of the 2024 offseason.

With this presumed drive, one should anticipate that, before the February 8 trade deadline, GM Zach Kleiman and company will be looking to make a few more cap-influenced moves and, in the opinion of former Vice President of Basketball Operations and The Athletic's current Senior Staff Writer, John Hollinger, fans should "expect" to see the franchise try to move the recently acquired Victor Oladipo (sent over from Houston in the Adams deal) and sign GG Jackson with his cleared roster spot.

Grizzlies should 'expect' Victor Oladipo move and GG Jackson signing

"The Grizzlies already made one move to manage an impending 2024-25 luxury-tax cliff by trading Steven Adams for Victor Oladipo’s expiring deal. If they can’t trade Oladipo by Thursday, expect Memphis to waive him and sign two-way GG Jackson to an inexpensive roster deal."

- John Hollinger

Deemed by Grind City Media's Michael Wallace as "the best-looking prospect" the Grizzlies have seen since Ja Morant was drafted second overall back in 2019, the rookie has carved out a nice role for himself within coach Taylor Jenkins' rotation over the past couple of months.

As a result of the the club's slew of core player injuries, Jackson finds himself sporting averages of 8.6 points and 3.1 rebounds on 36.4 percent shooting from deep through 18 games played.

Due to the confines of his current two-way contract, the 19-year-old is only permitted to suit up for a maximum of 50 games with the Grizzlies and is only signed through the remainder of this year.

However, Jackson has done so well in the limited amount of action he's seen thus far with the organization that Hollinger expects them to lock him up to a full-scale contract in the near future which, in turn, would likely keep him around beyond the 2023-24 campaign.

Of course, the first step in this process will likely be moving on from the $9.4 million Oladipo is currently owed.