With the Grizzlies over the roster limit, it isn't surprising that they haven't been big players in free agency so far. While we wait for more moves for the inevitable roster crunch in Memphis, the Walker Kessler trade could end up being an enormous domino to fall for the Grizzlies this upcoming season.
The main expectation leading up to the offseason was for Kessler to remain in Utah, but the Lakers acquired him in a sign-and-trade, giving up two unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 along with pick swaps in 2028 and 2030. Most notably, Kessler received a lucrative four-year $130 million deal.
When factoring the 2027 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies could end up potentially picking up a surprise win in the Jaren Jackson Jr. deal thanks to today's news with Walker Kessler.
Grizzlies could have better 2027 NBA Draft picks to work with
It's too early to tell if the Grizzlies will actually use all their 2027 picks, but they are currently in control of their own pick along with having two picks acquired in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. Those picks include a top-4 protected pick (via LAL) and a pick that is the best of Utah, Cleveland, or Minnesota.
At least one of the Grizzlies picks acquired from the Jackson Jr. trade could improve depending on how the rest of the offseason plays out. Now, it would be very shocking if the Lakers struggled enough that the pick landed in the top 4 and didn't convey. But it is fair to question where they currently stand defensively and how close they are to competing with teams such as the Spurs and Thunder.
With the Jazz moving on from Kessler, the league won't get to see what could have been an intriguing duo between Jaren Jackson Jr. and Walker Kessler. While the Jazz just added Jaxson Hayes and still have Jusuf Nurkic, it is definitely a downgrade in rim protection and potential for the frontcourt.
Still, the Jazz added Darryn Peterson and have an incredibly talented young roster, but the path to being a potential playoff team could get more difficult without Walker Kessler. Now, expecting the pick to land as high as #6 could be too lofty of a goal for the Grizzlies, assuming that the Jazz are the worst team out of the Cavaliers and Timberwolves, but it could potentially land in the teens.
The 2027 NBA Draft is projected to be much worse than the 2025 and 2026 classes, but the Grizzlies still managed to find talent in a "weaker" 2024 class. It still remains to be seen how they use the 2027 picks, but whether they are trade assets or having a better chance at more talent, the Grizzlies could end up really benefitting from the Walker Kessler trade.
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