The NBA trade deadline is one of the most important dates on the NBA calendar, as teams that are at a crossroads decide how they will attack the rest of their season. The Memphis Grizzlies have been active each of the last three seasons at the deadline for different reasons.
They traded for Luke Kennard at the 2023 NBA trade deadline to add needed shooting to a team that considered itself a contender as the number two seed in the West. At the 2024 deadline, the team traded assets for draft capital and to open room to sign GG Jackson after trading centers Xavier Tillman and Steven Adams.
While their moves at the 2024 trade deadline made sense for a team decimated by injuries, their 2025 NBA trade deadline moves left many puzzled. They traded Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia for expiring deals to open room for their renegotiation and extension for Jaren Jackson Jr. this summer. The problem was that the team was second in the Western Conference standings, and those moves eventually led to part of their demise, down to the eighth seed by season's end.
With their recent history of trade deadline moves, expect the team to look to move these three names by next season's NBA trade deadline.
1. Brandon Clarke
The seventh-year forward is coming off career lows in points, rebounds, and minutes per game for a season. The emergence and re-signing of Santi Aldama has made Clarke expendable due to his lack of size to consistently play center (6'8") and lack of development in his offensive game to play power forward (shot 5.9% from three last season). He is reliable on defense, but lost some of his elite athleticism after returning from an Achilles tear last season.
2. Vince Williams Jr.
Injuries derailed what was expected to be a huge year for the fourth-year wing. Vince Williams Jr. was one of the team's most promising developments during their injury-ravaged year during the 2023-24 season, but even that season, he missed the final 18 games due to an injury. With the drafting of Cedric Coward, the emergence of Jaylen Wells, and the additions of Ty Jerome and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, it will be tough for Williams Jr. to find playing time to regain that momentum.
3. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Speaking of the Caldwell-Pope addition, his contract fits what the Grizzlies need to make the push for a championship-contending move. He fits well with Ja Morant in the backcourt, but if a disgruntled star becomes available, the Grizzlies' draft collection and KCP's $21.6 million contract will be the starting point to evolve the Grizzlies into a real championship contender.