Trade Deadline priorities for the Memphis Grizzlies

There are things they need. But will they get them?

The Memphis Grizzlies are, like 29 other NBA franchises, waking up to Trade Deadline Eve. Some minor dealings have come and gone. The specter of Kevin Durant’s intentions with the Brooklyn Nets hangs over the proceedings. And through it all, the Grizzlies have the opportunity to essentially choose their adventure through the next couple of days.

They are “good enough” to argue for stability. There really doesn’t “need” to make a trade could be the company line. This Memphis team continues to overachieve compared to their age, and within that reality flexibility exists.

But that room to operate under is closing quickly. Memphis is still reeling from recent adversity, both on and off the floor. The Grizzlies are flawed, as all people and most teams are, and fans are feeling antsy about trying to address these concerns. Of course, in-season the best way to do that properly is through a trade. Buy-outs only can carry you so much. To address the most pressing needs of this Memphis team, exchanging draft assets and players with another squad or two is the way.

Again, it’s possible Grizzlies General Manager Zach Kleiman and company choose to stay stationary at the deadline. They’ve made it clear through their actions in the past that their timeline will be altered for no one. If the Grizzlies front office doesn’t think they are ready to contend - or that no deal exists that can make them contenders - it won’t be made.

But let’s just say the Grizzlies brass does believe it’s time for a trade. What weaknesses of Memphis should be addressed in such a deal?

Another “true” big

The Memphis Grizzlies are pretty loaded in the front court. Steven Adams, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke, Santi Aldama, and Xavier Tillman Sr. fill their various roles in various ways, and do so relatively well. But beyond Adams and Tillman, Memphis is “lacking” when it comes to a big man that is a presence on the glass and as a screener offensively. Jackson Jr. and Aldama are more perimeter-based offensive players, and Clarke is the definition of a pick-and-roll cutter to the basket that isn’t a rebounder alongside that exceptional athleticism. He is much more of a transition threat - and not an initiator on those fast breaks off the glass.

A lot has been made of the current issues for Memphis being connected to the absence of Steven Adams due to injury. Extra possessions once garnered via offensive rebound have been lost. Defensive assistance via sheer size at the rim has been missed. And Adams, one of the NBA’s best screeners, is not creating as much space for Ja Morant to operate in via the pick and roll. While a player to potentially fill those voids would be helpful, the depth in the Memphis front court means that the hope here needs to be health, not trades.

Who would’ve ever thought Steven Adams would be the 4th most important Memphis Grizzlies player? Get well soon, Kiwi.

“REALISTIC” EXAMPLES - Andre Drummond, Mason Plumlee

Perimeter defensive forces

These can take a lot of forms. Creating extra possessions via steals and blocks (or “stocks”) is one way. Versatility on switches to defend guards, wings, and/or bigs is another. But perhaps most importantly, Memphis needs wings that can slow dribble penetration at the point of attack while also being able to defend three point shots. Memphis struggles at times with giving up open threes due to their scheme trying to funnel shots in to the midrange and toward their bigs - in particular Jaren Jackson Jr. This really shines through when the Grizzlies have smaller guards and wings on the floor.

A bigger wing, with a longer wingspan, can check some of these boxes. The same can be said of a bigger guard - someone who brings length and size on the perimeter to elongate a closeout more naturally. Changing scheme dramatically isn’t really possible at this stage of the season…and perhaps it isn’t needed. Memphis does have one of the best defenses in the league, especially when Steven Adams is healthy. What they need is pieces who perhaps fit the mold better on the perimeter - especially among reserves.

“REALISTIC” EXAMPLES - O.G. ANUNOBY, ALEX CARUSO

Half-court offensive creation

This is perhaps the biggest issue facing the Memphis Grizzlies on their journey toward true NBA Finals contender. Beyond Ja Morant and to a lesser extent Desmond Bane, Memphis is lacking when it comes to players that are able to create their own shot. Jaren Jackson Jr. can in spurts, but it isn’t his strong suit. Especially among perimeter players, this skill set is lacking.

Three point shooting can of course assist in this endeavor. But in reality, any kind of scoring would be preferable to what the Grizzlies are currently working with - again, especially among the bench players for Memphis. This has been a problem for this franchise for almost a decade - not since the 2014-2015 season has a Grizzlies half-court offense ranked in the top half of the NBA in productivity. Their three point issues are well documented, but again…scoring in the half court can take on many different forms.

In the absence of long-range snipers, any scoring would be welcome. And while offensive sets and screens and Spain Pick and Rolls are fun to draw up, at times isolation basketball is the best half-court offense there is. On most possessions, Ja Morant can take his man and get to his spot on the floor to get a clean look. But Ja is the only Grizzlies player that can be said about.

Finding a way to grow the team’s half-court potential is the most direct way to raise their championship ceiling. It enables them to diversify their offensive potential. It would, if located in one particular player, make those around them more impactful if the scorer was also a willing passer. Those players are rare, and don’t come cheap.

But the willingness to acquire such a scorer could also signal a willingness to push in more proverbial “poker chips”. All-in could get you an imperfect, but elite, isolation scorer…and in theory take the Grizzlies to the next level of contending as they add valuable veteran experience.

DeRozan is arguably having his best offensive season since before the COVID-19 pandemic. He is strong at the rim, and elite in the mid-range. DeRozan also is a strong facilitator for others at his position. Replacing Brooks’ production offensively with that of DeRozan would make the Memphis offense better almost immediately. Couple that with the addition of Caruso, who has been written about here before, and you address numerous issues.

The reserve defense is better. The half-court offense is better. Will the defensive drop off from Dillon Brooks to DeMar DeRozan cancel out the offensive growth? Perhaps. But that is part of the risk of an “all-in” move. And this one, more than trading for the younger O.G. Anunoby, feels more like a push for a title now. DeRozan is 33-years-old, and Anunoby is 25. DeRozan is an elite scorer - Anunoby is more of a two-way piece.

And DeRozan would immediately become the veteran leader of the roster - a role the Grizzlies seem to need, at least to the outside observer. There have been a lot of distractions and adversity that Memphis has responded to intermittently at best, poorly at worst. DeRozan has been there, and done that. His input in the locker room would be invaluable, as would his offensive skill set.

Anunoby likely is the Grizzlies Plan A. But a DeRozan acquisition would be a solid consolation prize. O.G. fits the Memphis timeline better. But in terms of what this Grizzlies roster needs to get better at, DeRozan checks more of those boxes offensively.

O.G.? DeMar? Something smaller? Nothing at all?

We will know the answer soon enough. But regardless of trades, Memphis must improve in these areas in order to truly contend.