Despite what their 27-55 record and status of having the ninth overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft may suggest, the Memphis Grizzlies are a team looking to compete for a championship within the next few seasons.
From their star-studded roster consisting of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. along with their proven track record of high-end success when fully healthy and intact, Taylor Jenkins' squad is undoubtedly in win-now mode and, per recent reports, they're looking to better their odds of title contention as they look into ways of making waves during Wednesday's festivities.
According to Action Network's Matt Moore, the Grizzlies are hell-bent on finding ways to move up from the ninth overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft for a chance to nab coveted UConn big man Donovan Clingan, and, as sources have noted throughout this past week, the club is willing to cough up ample capital in exchange for a more enviable pick.
Grizzlies offered 'as many as three picks' to move up in NBA Draft
"League sources suggested this week that Memphis has put as many as three picks (with protections) up to try and move into the top five, including the No. 9 pick. If we assume Clingan is the target, that could put him at No. 3, No. 5 or No. 6 from Charlotte (San Antonio's trade-back appetite at No. 4 is thought to be less, especially with their other pick at No. 8)."Matt Moore
As a majority of recent rumblings have suggested, Houston appears to be the most likely team Memphis will be courting in trade negotiations, as the Rockets "continue to dangle" their third overall pick on the trade market, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
However, as broached by Moore, should Clingan's services still be available after Space City's time on the clock comes to an end, entering negotiations with the rebuilding Detroit Pistons in pursuit of their No. 5 pick "could be where Memphis strikes," and he's not the first person to propose that such a move could make sense for the Grizzlies.
DONOVAN CLINGAN IS BALLING 😳#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/Ffj9fV2ElI
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2024
Clingan has long been linked as an ideal target for the Grizzlies to pursue in the 2024 NBA Draft, as they desperately could use for a center upgrade following the mid-season departure of Steven Adams.
The towering 7-foot-2 pivot finds himself coming off a sophomore campaign with the UConn Huskies where he dropped 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks a night and helped guide the organization to their second-straight NCAA Championship.
With his ability to crash the glass, defend the rim, and space the floor, Clingan has established himself as one of the top prospects in this year's class and, with so many teams in need of frontcourt help, his services could be hotly courted during Wednesday's festivities.
Because of this, should Memphis be invested in adding him to their core for next season, they may want to strongly consider moving up from ninth overall on the draft board to nab him.
According to Moore's reporting, it appears they're looking into doing exactly that during these dwindling hours heading into the 2024 NBA Draft.