The Grizzlies are in one of the more interesting trade deadline situations, Damichael Cole of Memphis Commercial Appeal writes. At 31-16 entering Thursday, they maintain the West’s third seed, but they’re also a combined 3-6 against the top four teams in either conference.
Cole ponders several trade options for the Grizzlies, including standing pat and waiting on the returns of Marcus Smart and Vince Williams Jr. from injury. Jimmy Butler, of course, would help solve some of Memphis’ issues on the wings if he softened his stance on playing for the Grizzlies — or if the team was willing to trade for him anyway.
Outside of a blockbuster move, Cole suggests the Grizzlies could look into addressing their turnover problem by acquiring a point guard. Sending draft capital to Phoenix for Monte Morris could make sense, as could pursuing Chris Paul if the Spurs land De’Aaron Fox before the deadline, Cole writes.
In a similar story, Chris Herrington of the Daily Memphian writes that it feels like Memphis’ odds of doing nothing at the deadline are greater than in recent memory. At the same time, the Grizzlies need to decide if this season is worth pushing the chips in for or if they should continue to have an eye toward the future behind their core.
We have more on the Grizzlies:
- Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is hoping to make it back to the All-Star Game as a reserve, Marc J. Spears of Andscape writes. Jackson is averaging 22.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks while shooting 49.9% from the field and 35.5% from three. “Think it’s no question,” teammate Ja Morant said about Jackson’s All-Star candidacy. “Any other time they base it off of seeding and all this. ‘This guy shouldn’t get it because of this guy.’ And now that s–t goes out the window when it comes to us. Yeah, I’m pushing for him to be an All-Star. I think he absolutely deserves it. He’s been playing at an All-NBA level.“
- Morant was added to the injury report for Thursday’s game against the Rockets, Cole writes. He’s dealing with shoulder soreness. Cole speculates that Desmond Bane would likely slide over to point guard if Morant misses Thursday’s contest, while Luke Kennard would enter the starting five.
- Smart is not fully practicing with the team and is still “week-to-week” according to head coach Taylor Jenkins, per Cole (Twitter link). Smart, who is averaging 9.8 points per game this season, hasn’t played since Dec. 21 due to a finger injury.
Marcus Smart has become way too injury prone to stay in the league.
Cam Johnson would look with Grizz.