The Grizzlies have been looking for a new starting center, and this trade proposal would put them right back at the top of the Western Conference standings.
The Memphis Grizzlies are in the midst of an offseason where their primary goal will be to get healthy. After a 2023-24 season where the Grizzlies rostered a record number of players, their biggest objective is to get their reeling players rest, treatment and recovery time. After all, Memphis was a 56 and 51-win team before being decimated by injuries this past season.
But outside of internal improvement, the Grizzlies will also want to make certain tweaks to their roster. Specifically, the team is in big need of a starting center with Steven Adams now out of the picture. They could always slide Brandon Clarke into the starting lineup if they absolutely needed to, but it seems the team will continue to prefer having him come off the bench and will assess options for a new center in the starting five.
Should Memphis secure a rock-solid option at center who can produce at a similar level to what Adams was giving them or if they can even upgrade at that position, there is plenty of reason to believe in the Grizzlies going forward. They are loaded at every other position with Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. being an absolutely loaded four-man rotation when healthy.
With that in mind, there are a few options Memphis may pursue at center this summer.
This trade could return the Grizzlies to the top of the West
One very popular name in Grizzlies circles that the team could go after is Jarrett Allen. But the Cleveland Cavaliers’ big man just came off a career season where he put up multiple career-high averages. With the Cavs reportedly not looking to trade him anyway, it may be hard to pry Allen away.
Instead, Memphis should opt to pursue the Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton. A dominant rim protector, Claxton would theoretically be a perfect fit next to Jaren Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt. He will be a hot commodity this offseason, so the Grizz will have to put together a considerable package to outbid other teams from around the league.
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Nic Claxton
Brooklyn Nets receive: John Konchar, Luke Kennard, Ziaire Williams, 2025 First-Round Pick
In this hypothetical trade, Memphis would send three rotation players in John Konchar, Luke Kennard and Ziaire Williams to Brooklyn, along with their 2025 first-round draft pick. The Nets would gain one of the best pure shooters in the association in Kennard, who has shot at least 44% from beyond the arc in each of his last four seasons.
It is important to note that this deal would have to be a sign-and-trade. With Claxton being up for an extension, the Grizzlies would have to be okay with paying him a bigger deal. If that contract ends up looking like a three-year, $66 million deal with a $22 million salary each season, the finances work, but Memphis would be hard capped at the first apron, meaning they would be limited in what they can do for the remainder of the season.
The Grizzlies should feel comfortable giving away their 2025 first-rounder if they are confident they can get back to the playoffs next season. The 2024 second-rounder originally belonged to Oklahoma City and will convey as the 58th pick, so it is a very expendable asset.
Would the Grizzlies make this trade?
From Memphis’ side of things, this trade should be a no-brainer. None of the three players being moved are total game changers, even Luke Kennard and his all-world shooting ability. Those three guys saw increased numbers largely due to increased opportunity with all the Grizzlies’ injuries this past season, and they are all relatively replaceable.
Giving away the first-round pick in 2025 is also a relatively small price to pay for the services of Claxton. A first-rounder is always a valuable asset in theory, but we have to remember that Memphis will easily have a top 10 record in the league when fully healthy. The odds of that pick having the value of a lottery pick is not great, and the Grizzlies should not have a problem betting on themselves and tossing the pick aside.
Thirdly, Nic Claxton would be a huge needle-mover for this team. Memphis always thrived on the interior when Steven Adams was roaming around the paint and gobbling up rebounds. Claxton would be able to play a similar role while also bringing a much higher degree of athleticism to the table as well.
Whether a trade like this is possible in real life will simply come down to how much the Nets end up asking for Claxton. Obviously, the financial restrictions would also be considerable here. But frankly, they may not matter very much if Claxton is able to be Memphis’ missing piece. If the Grizz can get him with a package like this one, they should be all over it.
Discussion about this post