3 trade targets Grizzlies must pursue in a Zach LaVine blockbuster

2. Josh Richardson

When it comes to the potential landing spots for Zach LaVine should he be dealt, one of the most talked up amongst odds-makers and members of the media is Miami.

Considering their highly public efforts of trying to land Damian Lillard this past offseason, this should come as no surprise to anyone that the guard-hungry Heat are rumored to be in the mix and, with this, it may even be seen as an indication that they could look to pull out all the stops to try and finally execute a desired blockbuster.

For any team interested in pursuing LaVine, one of the biggest conundrums will be trying to find a way to clear up enough space to absorb his lucrative $48.9 million salary.

In possession of roughly $7 million in leftover space from their original $11.4 million TPE acquired in the Dillon Brooks trade this summer, the Grizzlies could be of some service in helping the cash-strapped Heat clear out some less desirable contracts, and one they could have their eyes set on in this hypothetical situation should be Josh Richardson's and his 2023-24 salary of $2.8 million.

Like Craig, Richardson is a veteran wing who provides high-end energy on both ends of the floor and can be slotted into multiple positions thanks to his 6-foot-6 frame and 6-foot-10 wingspan.

However, unlike the aforementioned forward, the 30-year-old has proven himself more as a scoring threat throughout his nine-year career, averaging double-digits in points on seven separate occasions.

Over the last three seasons, Richardson has posted impressive averages of 10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting an efficient 38.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Be it as a starter or in a reserve role, adding this type of productivity to a Grizzlies team in need of just about everything, particularly on offense, could prove to be a beneficial move worth making.