The Memphis Grizzlies opted to kick off the final month of trade season with a truly surprising move, as they sent beloved starting pivot, Steven Adams, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Victor Oladipo and three future second-round picks.
Though he hadn't suited up for a single regular season game since January of 2023, as he's been sidelined due to multiple procedures on his right PCL, considering he's under contract through 2024-25 the popular belief had been that, once healthy, the veteran would take back his role as the team's primary starting center and man the middle as they gear up for a title chase come next year.
Alas, following last week's transaction not only will this plan not come to fruition, but, now, the Grizzlies find themselves with no clear replacement option for the 6-foot-11 menace.
Trade targets for Memphis Grizzlies to replace Steven Adams
While Memphis might wish to try and find a green young buck to take over the starting five spot in this summer's draft, where they'll likely hold a rather high-end selection, scattered across the association are a few players who could also serve as quality options to take on the mantle and, for the right price, could be worthy of trade consideration as we approach the deadline.
3. Andre Drummond
Though Andre Drummond is an established veteran who is presumed to be better suited as a target for a currently contending team, there's still reason to believe that pursuing him in a trade before the deadline could be beneficial for the Grizzlies.
A behemoth of a big man who measures in at 6-foot-11, 280-pounds, the 30-year-old has made a career for himself as being a rebound gobbler extraordinere and an extremely menacing paint presence on the less glamorous side of the ball.
For his career, Drummond boasts averages of 12.8 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks on 54.2 percent shooting from the field. On top of this, he sports an electrifying defensive rating of 101 and an offensive rebound percentage of 16.7, nearly two percentage points higher than Adams.
BULLY BALL.@NBCSChicago | @AndreDrummond pic.twitter.com/8PitTeQ8Jj
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 1, 2024
In a nut shell, Drummond provides a very similar skill set to that of Memphis' former franchise big all at a much more affordable cost what with his current $3.3 million salary.
While his contract is expiring, trading for him now would grant the Grizzlies his Early Bird rights, which would give them a major edge during this upcoming free agency period.