The Memphis Grizzlies are entering a pivotal offseason. Following a 2023-24 campaign that saw them claim the league’s seventh-worst record (27-55) and endure their first playoff-less finish since 2020, Grind City is looking to build their way back to a place of competency during these upcoming summer months.
Unfortunately for them, being they are severely cash-strapped and hold a middle-of-the-pack lottery selection that coincides with a weak class, the free agency market and the 2024 NBA Draft are not expected to be avenues that Zach Kleiman and company can embark on as a means of seriously improving their championship odds for next season.
Of course, the always exciting trade route is something that could be both a plausible and beneficial course of action Memphis’ front office could look to consider in their quest for reestablished relevancy, and, recently, Myke Horrell of Bluff City Media proposed a particular blockbuster exchange that could accomplish this particular goal.
Blockbuster proposal lands Memphis Grizzlies a new All-Star center
Though injuries played a major role in the ball club’s putrid performance this past campaign, even if health were completely on their side heading into next season this Grizzlies rotation still finds themselves with several sore spots that could use for some addressing.
Easily the main area of concern within coach Taylor Jenkins’ lineup is the starting pivot position, for, following the mid-season trades of both Steven Adams and Xavier Tillman, Memphis’ depth down low is quite barren.
Adding a high-upside, star-caliber talent to serve as the franchise’s primary center should be at the top of the front office’s to-do list this offseason, and Horrell believes to have constructed a trade that would provide a much-needed answer to their rotational quagmire.
Laying out the trade
As noted by GM Zach Kleiman during his exit interview last month, it is the franchise’s belief that “having a more traditional or true big” within their frontcourt holds a serious amount of value when it comes to how this Grizzlies team likes to operate.
During their two-straight Southwest Division-winning seasons (2021-2023), having the old school Steven Adams setting hard screens, defending the rim, and gobbling up boards of both ends of the floor proved to be absolutely vital in aiding toward their high-end successes.
With this in mind, the idea of pursuing someone of a similar ilk could very well be of serious interest for Memphis, and Horrell’s proposed blockbuster with the Cleveland Cavaliers sees them net someone of such a skill set in Jarrett Allen.
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Jarrett Allen, No. 20 Pick
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Marcus Smart, No. 9 Pick
Despite both being in a win-now position, the Grizzlies and Cavaliers are organizations who are in need of completely different things to help inch them closer to an NBA Championship.
For Memphis, as mentioned already, they are in serious need of an upgrade at their starting center position to help compliment their already established cornerstones in Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Cleveland, meanwhile, has the star power needed to make a major splash during the postseason with Donovan Mitchell leading the pack, though, with the potential departure of starting point guard Darius Garland coupled with their lack of veteran leadership, unlocking their full potential may be harder than ever to accomplish in 2024-25.
For the Cavs, Horrell argues this deal would provide them with the aforementioned necessities, stating: “With rumors swirling around a possible Darius Garland trade the Cavaliers could snap Marcus Smart into the starting guard spot alongside Donovan Mitchell to supply facilitation, perimeter defense, and championship pedigree to a team looking to get over the hump.”
Without question, Smart is a player who is tailor-made to play within a championship rotation, and his experience of going deep in the NBA Playoffs (has five Conference Finals appearances and an NBA Finals berth under his belt) and serving as a valuable leader could go a long way for any team, including Cleveland.
Assuming President Koby Altman agrees to such an exchange, should the Grizzlies look to finalize the deal?
Grading the Trade: Should the Grizzlies say yes?
From a skill-set perspective, there aren’t many other realistic targets out there that fit the mold of what the Grizzlies should be looking for in their next starting center quite like Jarrett Allen.
Throughout his seven-year professional career, the big man has earned himself the moniker of NBA All-Star thanks to his exceptional rim-protecting, rim-running, and rebounding skills.
Since his first full season with the Cavaliers back in 2021, Allen has posted impressive two-way averages of 15.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting a highly efficient 64.9 percent from the floor and boasting a defensive rating of 108.
This past season, he put forth arguably his best efforts to date as a pro, as he wrapped up 2023-24 with 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks through 77 outings all while shooting a highly efficient 63.4 percent from the field and finished in the top-10 in the running for Defensive Player of the Year.
On top of all this, Allen is still just 26 years old and is under contract through 2026, meaning that he fits the timeline of the rest of this Grizzlies core almost seamlessly.
Imagining him out on the fast-break with Morant and formulating a wall down low on defense alongside 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. should absolutely pique the interest of the Grizzlies and their faithful followers, and the idea of still remaining in the first round of this upcoming draft (would be exchanging their ninth overall pick for Cleveland’s 20) makes this trade as close to a no-brainer as it can get.
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