The outlook of the Memphis Grizzlies trade deadline has been very indistinct. At 24-14 and currently sitting third in the Western Conference standings, the Memphis Grizzlies have found themselves in a half-tricky predicament as the trade deadline looms closer and closer. This stretch of the regular season is usually when the more compelling teams start to establish themselves amongst their conference hierarchy. Certain teams have tightened rotations to build camaraderie for optimism in the playoffs. With such a vast, equipped bench and team-friendly assets, the trade deadline may be quite gripping in Grind City.
Key Memphis Grizzlies’ Trade Deadline Question
The only justifiable reason for contemplating a shift in the roster is to increase your title-contention chances. That would be by bringing in a player who will instantly be impactful and increase the probability of a ring. The Grizzlies’ injury report has constantly been updated on a game-to-game basis. Unlike other promising conference contenders, the Grizzlies still have a level of chemistry they’ve yet to unlock. Even though they’re the only team to be top five in both offensive and defensive rating, it feels as though something is missing integrally based on the eye test as of late.
Taylor Jenkins was *very* upset with himself for calling timeout right before Desmond Bane hit what would’ve been a game-tying 3 in the final seconds.
The consensus in the Grizzlies locker room? They trust him, and it’s far from the only reason they lost.
Full reaction
pic.twitter.com/ilDeuGcd1F
— Matt Infield (@Matt_Infield) January 10, 2025
Grizzlies Motive Behind Being Proactive At Deadline?
The Memphis Grizzlies’ starting lineup of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaylen Wells, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Zach Edey has only registered 49 total minutes played this season. That is the fewest minutes played of any starting lineup amongst any team that ranks top five in net rating. To take matters further, that five-man unit is posting the best net rating amongst all units that have spent at least 49 minutes together on the floor this season. It’s quite skewed but yet an encouraging metric to look at when evaluating who should be taken serious come spring time.
The main hurdle that the Grizzlies have had to overcome this season is the lack of availability from their franchise players, specifically Morant and Bane. Their offense is a heavy dose of high-octane read-and-react dribble drives. When effective, they’re without a doubt a load to deal with in the halfcourt. On the other side of it, the changeability can lead to sloppiness, turnovers, and early fastbreaks for opponents. Some of this was evident in the loss vs the Rockets. The Grizzlies rank 22nd in opposing fast break points allowed per game. Ironically, the Rockets rank second in the NBA in fast break points scored a night.
Prioritize Optimizing Playoff Rotations
Second-year forward GG Jackson II. was assigned to the Memphis Hustle practice on January 9. Utility swing guard Vince Williams Jr. is expected to be evaluated within the next couple of weeks for his right ankle sprain. Franchise star Ja Morant made his return to the hardwood in Thursday night’s 119-115 loss to the Houston Rockets after missing his previous five games with a right AC joint sprain.
Murmurs about acquiring superstar wing Jimmy Butler has dominated social threads over the past couple of weeks. Now there’s no doubt even at 35 years old, that Butler would be a remarkable addition to a Grizzlies roster. They feel like they’re on the cusp of something special. Butler’s pursuit of a new contract also doesn’t align with the Grizzlies future going forward. Furthermore, sacrificing some of the significant depth that has helped you get to this point would be conflicting. That is especially true when they’ve had limited opportunities of assessing what their team outlook is with a fully healthy equipped core.
Valuable regular rotational swings Luke Kennard and Jake LaRavia are both on expiring deals. If Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman were to roll the dice, opting for Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson is far more the logical pathway. The former Tar Heel has become a popular trade target around the association. Johnson’s perilous three-point stroke and playoff experience would be a seamless fit. It’s still unclear who will be a part of the Grizzlies’ main rotation come playoff time. Currently, the Grizzlies have the second-hardest schedule left. Thus far, what Taylor Jenkins has accomplished with the constant shuffling of his roster has truly been astonishing. The best thing for the Memphis Grizzlies trade deadline may be, not to part take at all.
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