Staying put in the NBA draft isn’t something the Memphis Grizzlies are accustomed to doing, and this doesn’t look like the season to do that either.
The Grizzlies have a desire to add a big man, whether it’s via the draft, free agency or a trade. The NBA draft (June 26, 7 p.m., ESPN/ABC) is certainly the most plausible, considering Memphis can sign what could be a franchise-altering player at a controllable cost.
History says it could happen. Memphis traded its first-round pick last season to acquire Marcus Smart and traded up to grab Jake LaRavia two seasons ago with the 19th overall pick. The Grizzlies also acquired the draft rights of Ziaire Williams as the No. 10 pick in 2021 after initially owning the 17th selection.
If the Grizzlies are to trade up in the 2024 draft, it will almost certainly be to acquire a big man. Only Alexander Sarr and Donovan Clingan are projected to be off the board by the Grizzlies’ No. 9 selection. Sarr is a top-three pick on most mock drafts, while Clingan could seemingly go anywhere in the top 10.
Here are three ideal trade scenarios for Memphis to move up in the draft.
Houston Rockets, No. 3 pick
This is the most unlikely option, but it also pretty much guarantees Memphis grabs its big of the future. The Houston Rockets, who have the No. 3 overall pick, are an ideal team to make a trade. Houston has one of the best young cores in the NBA and a nice core of vets that are ready to win now. The third pick doesn’t push them forward as much as acquiring a veteran who’s ready to play now. Memphis may not be willing to trade the kind of player Houston wants, but the Grizzlies could get involved in a potential three-team trade that lands them with the third overall selection. The Pelicans need shooters, and the pairing of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson continues to look imperfect. Memphis helps two division rivals while also strengthening its own roster in this scenario.
Trade proposal:
Pelicans: HOU Dillon Brooks, MEM Luke Kennard, No. 9 pick
Rockets: NOLA Brandon Ingram
Grizzlies: No. 3 pick, Jose Alvarado, Jae’Sean Tate
Charlotte Hornets, No. 6 pick
Once you get past the top two teams in the draft, every team picking ahead of the Grizzlies appears to already have a starting center in place. However, the best player available strategy could still lead to Clingan being snatched off the board. The Hornets, who pick sixth, have recent first-round pick Mark Williams as their center of the future. Being that there’s projected to be very little dropoff from the sixth to ninth spots, Charlotte may be willing to trade back and add more assets.
Trade proposal:
Hornets: No. 9, future lottery-protected first-round pick
Grizzlies: No. 6 pick
Portland Trail Blazers, No. 7 pick
Like Charlotte, Portland has its center in Deandre Ayton. The Blazers also have a promising group of young guards. Portland could use wing help, and the latter half of the top 10 should see a run on players capable of being promising NBA wings. Like Charlotte, Portland could trade back and still get a desirable player, while Memphis moves up and solidifies its chances of getting Clingan.
Trade proposal:
Blazers: No. 9, No. 39
Grizzlies: No. 7
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