3 under-the-radar trade targets Grizzlies must pursue

With just a week to go until the February 8 trade deadline comes about, there still appears to be no strong indication as to what the Memphis Grizzlies plan to do.

Considering they boast the third-worst record in the Western Conference standings at 18-29 and look to be playing for the lottery, many believe the franchise should stand pat or, at most, sell off some of their lesser-valued players for more future-oriented assets.

However, being they possess several luxuries such as the Dillon Brooks TPE and their two recently attained DPEs, there's a rather realistic possibility that the front office could look to add on some fresh new faces ahead of next week's cut-off.

Sleeper trade targets the Memphis Grizzlies must consider pursuing

Should Memphis opt to embark down this latter route, there are quite a number of names they should consider pursuing in a trade, with a few, in particular, that may be going under the radar when it comes to the possible impact they could provide if attained.

3. Quentin Grimes

Though the Grizzlies may already have several quality backcourt talents at their disposal, the concept of bolstering their depth even further with a guy like Quentin Grimes is still rather appealing, and reports indicate that they, too, are open to such an idea.

A highly efficient combo guard, the 23-year-old has established himself as a quality young talent who can make an impact on both ends of the floor. Throughout his three seasons in the association, Grimes boasts averages of 8.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and just shy of a steal while shooting 37.9 percent from distance.

Adding a talent like Grimes into the mix would not only provide the Grizzlies with a much-needed jolt of energy to help improve their fifth-worst offensive bench unit this season but they would simultaneously be bringing on a player who could become a key member of their core moving forward.

2. Aaron Nesmith

When fully healthy, Memphis boasts one of the most well-rounded starting units in the entire league. From established stars like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. to stellar glue guys like Steven Adams, the club's first-five lineup is a near-ideal collection.

Frankly, the one area that they don't seem to have a clear go-to option in is at their three spot, which has been a position coach Taylor Jenkins has experimented with ad nauseam through the first half of this season, albeit to no avail.

Instead of continuing to try promoting from within, perhaps the Grizzlies may want to look to the trade market to find a possible long-term solution to their starting wing woes, and one player worth taking a swing at is Pacers small forward, Aaron Nesmith.

Selected 14 in the 2020 NBA Draft, Nesmith has yet to live up to the lofty expectations that come with being selected in the lottery, though he flashes the potential of doing so if put in the right setting.

Memphis could provide him exactly that.

Now in his fourth season, the former Vanderbilt star finds himself posting solid averages of 12.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and just shy of a block per game while shooting 52.1 percent from the field and 46.3 percent from deep.

With his stellar abilities to score off-ball and buy a bucket from virtually anywhere on the floor in isolation sets he could be a great addition to a Memphis team that, on the season, ranks dead last in points per game (107.5).

Still just 24 years old, Nesmith has plenty of time to develop his overall craft as a player, and, to some, his upside is believed to be anywhere from Robert Covington to even Klay Thompson-esque.

Such promise is certainly worth coughing up some future draft capital for and, being his $5.6 million salary fits seamlessly into the club's Dillon Brooks TPE, the Grizzlies would be foolish not to inquire about his availability ahead of February 8.

1. James Wiseman

Staying with the theme of recent lottery-selected talents not necessarily living up to expectations, James Wiseman is another young player that the Grizzlies should strongly consider pursuing before the deadline for a multitude of reasons.

With concerns rising over the long-term outlook for the team's currently injured and continuously aging primary pivot, Steven Adams, some have suggested Memphis might want to consider investing in a long-term replacement option at the position now rather than later and taking a chance on the upside Wiseman possesses is something that must be on the table.

A Tennessee native who played collegiate ball at the University of Memphis, the big man still finds himself looking for a home in the NBA after being given up on by the Warriors last season and, now, being gradually phased out of Detroit's rotation.

Perhaps a literal homecoming may be in order to get his career on the right track.

Measuring in at 6-foot-11 with a whopping 7-foot-6 wingspan, Wiseman has the build of a truly menacing rim protector and lob threat while his underrated foot quickness, strength, and soft touch at the rim suggest he could be a lethal offensive weapon if provided the proper guidance and surrounded by the right development team.

Though far from producing at pre-draft expectation, his numbers have still been solid enough to warrant strong consideration for a trade from the Grizzlies, as the 22-year-old boasts per-game averages of 9.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and just shy of a block while shooting 55.7 percent from the field thus far into his career.

With his value seemingly at an all-time low, a trade for his services likely wouldn't cost Memphis all that much, meaning they could feasibly be nabbing a recent top-3 draft selection for a pennies-on-the-dollar type of package.

Without question, such a move would be worth the risk.