The Grizzlies have not engaged in trade talks with the Cavaliers regarding Kyle Anderson and Dillon Brooks, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press tweets. A report out of Cleveland suggested that the two forwards were available on the trade market for the right price. Memphis does have a major roster logjam at the moment with 18 players on guaranteed contracts, as noted in our latest roster count.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- Whether or not they’ve engaged in talks with the Cavs, the Grizzlies would be wise to explore the market on Brooks, according to Evan Sidery of Basketball News. Brooks’ value is at an all-time high after a playoff series in which he averaged 25.8 PPG, but he may not be the best No. 2 scoring option during Ja Morant‘s prime years. Brooks will be a free agent after the 2022/23 season and Memphis may not want to commit to him long-term.
- Bryn Forbes strongly considered re-signing with the Bucks before signing up for a second stint with the Spurs, according to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express News. Forbes declined a player option in order to become a free agent. He’s thrilled to return to the Spurs. “I still had good relationships with everyone here,” he said. “They know what I can do. … When I had the opportunity to come back, I was immediately excited.”
- The New Orleans Times Picayune trio of Christian Clark, Scott Kushner and Rod Walker believe the Pelicans have improved enough to make the playoffs next season. They also discuss the Lonzo Ball sign-and-trade with the Bulls and the acquisition of Devonte’ Graham from the Hornets.
Colin Sexton would make an interesting trade target for the Grizzlies. A deal with Brooks n Anderson going to the cavs would be big for both.
Honestly…I kinda like this
Interesting idea, but that would leave the Cavs with only two guards (Rubio/Garland) and 8 SF/PF’s. Anderson can play some point, but they would have no SG depth. Also it wouldn’t work financially at all since Cavs would need to add $10m in contracts to send to Grizz and I’m sure they wouldn’t want any more players.
Not to mention the whole reason for trading Anderson or Brooks is because of a roster crunch. They don’t want the Cavs to have to add a second player to the deal to match salaries and then have to buy said players out.
Three NO journalists believe they have improved enough to make the playoffs. Mustn’t be very well educated in basketball.
To acquire Valacuinas they went back 18 draft spots via two picks and also gave up a future first. To acquire Graham they also had to give up a first. That means the two first round picks they got for giving away Jrue Holiday are basically gone. So they wasted two first, just to down grade at point guard and salary dump Eric Bledsloe. The same Bledsloe that then went to the clippers for Beverly, Rondo and Oturu.
If they had paid Lonzo, traded Bledsloe to the clippers for Beverly, brought out Rondo and then swap Adams for Valacuinas only using pick swaps they could’ve had a better team and kept 2 first round picks. Interesting.
Yet these three believe they have improved enough to make the playoffs. The teams behind them most of them improved. The Kings will be better, the TWolves will be healthy and better defensively and the Rockets will be exciting. Of the teams ahead of them only the Spurs got worse.
So to conclude I think the Pelicans will finish around 11/12 again and not make the play in tournament. Wasting another year of Zions career.
We should all feel sorry for New Orleans, again. They’re about to be hit by another major hurricane in a few days, so let them have some hope that the Pelicans might be a decent team next season, even it’s not gonna happen.
Obviously these guys are probably bias to say NO making the playoffs.
The graham acquisition could be a good fit, we will see.
The question is defense as they were horrible last year. Ball is a good defender and he’s gone. So, a lot of questions of their defense to be answered.
Memphis will be calling any teams with TPEs and draft picks.