Grade the Trade: Grizzlies correct 2022 NBA Draft Day mistake with wild new idea

Grading the Trade: Should the Grizzlies say yes?

With the idea that Kessler could potentially be had for a first-rounder, coughing up such capital along with the talents of Santi Aldama might just be enough to pique the interest of the Jazz to move on from their sophomore center.

However, would it be worth it for the Grizzlies to partake in such an exchange?

As some may remember, Memphis initially drafted Kessler with the 22 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, before ultimately shipping him out to Utah for the rights to the 19 pick that same night, Jake LaRavia.

Since making such a decision, LaRavia has become somewhat of a rotational afterthought while Kessler has emerged as one of the game's best young big men, and is coming off a 2023-24 season where he swatted 5.0 blocks per 100 possessions all while sporting regular pre-game averages of 8.1 points and 7.5 rebounds on 65.4 percent shooting.

With his impressive combination of rim-protecting and board-gobbling skills, the second-year pro has earned the label of "rising star" in the association, while his enviable age of 22 suggests that there's still plenty more time for him to grow and expand upon his game.

As Buckley stated in his piece, if the Grizzlies don't completely believe Zach Edey "is ready to anchor the interior for a championship hopeful," then they should be interested in adding another option to their frontcourt arsenal and, letting go of a future first and Aldama for the established talents and upside that Walker Kessler possesses would be well worth it.

Grade: B+