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

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.

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.

2. James Wiseman

As recently noted by Bleacher Report's Dan Favale, considering the Grizzlies are currently gunning for a lottery spot rather than a playoff berth, in many ways they are in "prime flier territory."

In other words, Memphis is in a position where they could look to take a risk on a raw talent in hopes of being able to pull out their upside with proper tutalage and overall development.

With this in mind, there may be no sexier "flier" out there for this club to pursue than Detroit Pistons big, James Wiseman.

A Tennessee native and a former player at Memphis University, the 22-year-old's career hasn't gone as well as many had hoped it would when he initially entered the association as the second overall pick back in 2020.

Playing on his second team in four seasons, Wiseman finds himself on the outside looking in on a consistent role within Monty Williams' rotation. That said, despite his regular DNP-status, the big boasts a mesmerizing 6-foot-11 frame with a whopping 7-foot-6 wingspan and a truly impressive brand of athleticism that should have any team in need of center depth intrigued.

His size and skill set suggest that, somewhere locked inside, there's a lethal rim protector and lob threat just waiting to come out and, with their recent track record of successful development (Vince Williams Jr., GG Jackson, etc.) along with the familiarity and comfort that would come with a literal homecoming for Wiseman, the Grizzlies must consider pursuing a low-ball offer for this high-upside prospect.

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.