Yesterday, the Grizzlies wrapped up a franchise-defining trade deadline. Given that the Grizzlies are currently below .500 and battling plenty of injuries, there were multiple justifiable paths that the Grizzlies could've taken towards team building.
All signs point to a rebuild in Memphis. The Grizzlies made the bold decision to move Jaren Jackson Jr. at this year's deadline despite previously signing him to a contract extension last summer. The other surprise of this year's deadline was Ja Morant staying despite the strong chance of a last-minute trade.
Outgoing players include Jock Landale, Vince Williams Jr., Jaren Jackson Jr., and John Konchar. The incoming players for the Grizzlies are Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks, and previous Grizzly Kyle Anderson. Georges Niang was previously acquired in the Jaren Jackson Jr. deal but waived on deadline day. The Grizzlies also acquired Eric Gordon from the 76ers for a 2032 second-round pick swap, but Gordon was waived earlier today.
Memphis Grizzlies' updated depth chart
Following Eric Gordon being waived, the Grizzlies currently have 14 players on the active roster.
Point guard: Ja Morant, Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., Walter Clayton Jr.
Shooting guard: Jaylen Wells, Cam Spencer
Small forward: Cedric Coward, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Power forward: Brandon Clarke, Taylor Hendricks, Kyle Anderson, GG Jackson II
Center: Zach Edey, Santi Aldama
What is next for the Grizzlies this season?
Javon Small, Jahmai Mashack, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper all currently have two-way contracts with the Grizzlies. Small and Mashack will likely get more NBA opportunities the rest of the season. Prosper, on the other hand, could potentially be given a standard contract if the Grizzlies don't sign another center.
Brandon Clarke is inching closer to a return; however, the statuses of Ja Morant and Zach Edey are worth watching. They have not yet been ruled out for the season, but it remains to be seen when they will come back, if at all. As Santi Aldama continues to manage his recent knee injury, he will likely start at the center position when healthy. The Grizzlies have a logjam of guards and forwards but could potentially look to sign a center to fill the last roster spot.
The Grizzlies' chances at making the play-in are much slimmer now, but there are still exciting opportunities for young players to develop. The returns of Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome should ease some of the offensive burden, but the Grizzlies' frontcourt will likely be shorthanded the rest of the season.