3 Steven Adams replacements Grizzlies could trade for ahead of Feb 8 deadline

1. Nic Claxton

With just days leading up to Thursday's deadline, NBA Insider Marc Stein has recently revealed that Nets center Nic Claxton "could be more available" than previously thought.

Should this report be true, and Brooklyn shops the big, he'd undoubtedly be the best pivot on the trade market and, in turn, the Grizzlies should be interested in pursuing his services.

A highly athletic talent with an incredible knack for swatting shots, now in his fifth season in the league Claxton finds himself posting averages of 12.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and a whopping 2.2 blocks per game, the sixth-best mark in the association.

On top of his counting stats, Claxton is an impressive rim-runner who would fit seamlessly into a Ja Morant-led lineup that, in 2021-22 and 2022-23, finished first and second in fast break points, respectively.

Though he may be on an expiring deal, his $8.7 million salary this season could be effortlessly absorbed into their recently acquired $12.4 million DPE, and, considering he's only 24 years old, he has the makings of being a great long-term starting center for this squad, especially when considering how lethal a defensive core of him, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Marcus Smart could prove to be.

At the right price, Claxton may just be one of the best Steven Adams replacement options the Grizzlies could ask for.