The National Basketball Association has already seen the landscape change dramatically in the last several days. Luka Doncic is a Laker - still a wild thing to type.
The Memphis Grizzlies historically have not gotten too involved at the trade deadline. No disrespect to Danny Green and Luke Kennard, but those names don’t ring the same bells as Jimmy Butler and Cam Johnson. And yet Memphis continues to be mentioned as spots for both...and the latest reporting that Kevin Durant may also be available is enticing.
Back when the Grizzlies attempted to trade for Mikal Bridges, Kevin Durant was also on their radar. And while a Durant trade would be extremely difficult for Memphis to do, it is not impossible.
But should the Grizzlies - the once-again all alone #2 seed in the Western Conference - pull the proverbial trigger on such a move, whether it’s Durant, Johnson, or even Butler?
You can argue the answer is yes. Here’s why.
Youth usually isn’t served in the playoffs. It’s an issue that Oklahoma City faces as well. Both the Thunder and Memphis are simultaneously among the youngest and best teams in the Association. But in a seven game series, in the pressure cooker of the NBA Playoffs, intensity shifts. OKC has gotten as far as the Grizzlies core has in the playoffs - 2nd round.
Both teams have loftier aspirations. Can that be accomplished as constructed?
For Memphis - the more veteran of the two squads - when using traditional logic the answer is closer to “yes” than the Thunder, even with OKC’s advantage in talent. The Grizzlies have experienced playoff failure and grinded through postseasons...even if it’s been a season since the last time they did.
An important difference now? The starting lineup when healthy for Memphis features two rookies - Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey - not veterans like Steven Adams and Dillon Brooks. While both are likely 1st Team All-Rookie members, and while both are capable of games of multiple made threes paired with great perimeter defense (Wells) and double doubles with numerous blocked shots (Edey), they also are capable of disappearing for stretches - or even whole games.
In the playoffs, that can cost you a series. A veteran presence is needed in those moments. And a star one, when the lights are brightest, would be the preference.
How much depth is too much? Marcus Smart and Vince Williams Jr. are projected to possibly make returns to the active Grizzlies roster in Toronto tonight after long absences. If that occurs, that would mean a possible 14 of the 15 active roster members are ready to play. Cool, right?
Well, John Konchar (also Questionable to play) and Jay Huff are certainly out of the rotation in this case. That gets you to 12 rotation players. Who do you sit next? Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jake LaRavia? GG Jackson? Do you see the issue?
Head Coach Taylor Jenkins and his staff have developed this roster beautifully. But with so many capable NBA contributors, condensing the rotation with an eye to the postseason should be the focus.
The “easiest” way to do that in-season? A multi-team trade sending out two, and perhaps more, players plus draft capital for an upgrade. Sign a two-way contracted player (Cam Spencer, I presume) to a full roster deal and move forward.
That gets you closer to playoff ready. Which should be the focus of Memphis above anything else.
