Blockbuster Deal Alert‼️ Grizzlies’ Potential Big Three Emerges with 9x All-Star Acquisition
A lot of players came and went from the Memphis Grizzlies’ roster this summer. The Grizzlies essentially ended an era when they traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic.
The beginning of a rebuilding process centred on Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. was signalled when Memphis extended a large contract to Jackson Jr.
Considering their present roster, becoming competitive may be a ways off, but their investment on the former DPOY shows that they certainly plan to do so.
Two very gifted young players for the Grizzlies are ready to compete at the highest level right now. We take a look at a trade suggestion put out by Ethen Hutton of Sports Illustrated that would enable Memphis to establish a new “big three” in order to capitalise on their youth.
Proposed Trade Details
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Paul George, 2030 second-round pick
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Clarke, John Konchar, Cedric Coward, 2028 first-round pick
The potential benefits of adding nine-time All-Star Paul George to the Memphis Hornets’ roster are enormous, but the dangers of doing so should not be underestimated.
Since this deal alters the starting lineups for both clubs, we take a closer look at how it affected each side.
The 76ers Successfully Offload George
Hutton’s trade proposal is effectively an attempt on the Philadelphia 76ers’ behalf to offload Paul George’s massive contract.
With a $51.6 million cap hit next season and three years left on his contract, George might be one of the most difficult assets to move in the NBA.
In this case, though, the 76ers can shed the 35-year-old and move on with roster retooling, looking ahead to what the future holds. Joel Embiid’s future with the Sixers is uncertain.
The superstar big man looks great to start the new season, but the team’s chances of winning are clouded by his injury history and rumours of retirement.
The 76ers may face a tough choice in terms of strategy in this area.
If they decide to go the rebuild route, this move can be seen in a positive light. John Konchar, Brandon Clarke, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are just a few of the new players that have joined Philadelphia to round out their roster.
There may be better long-term value in Cedric Coward and the first-round pick in 2028. As a backcourt player, Coward has a lot of potential. Injuries kept the 22-year-old from playing a big role during Memphis’ Summer League run, but he should be ready to make a bigger impact in training camp.
With players like Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, VJ Edgecombe, and maybe even Quentin Grimes, Philadelphia already has a deep backcourt.
The 76ers might put money into Coward’s development and Edgecombe’s in the second unit if they opt to trade Grimes—which is highly improbable—.
Two veterans, Caldwell-Pope and Clarke, have the potential to be more pivotal. Currently, one is seen as a reliable 3-and-D veteran, while the other is a physically gifted big man who might develop into a productive scorer and rebounder.
Last season, Caldwell-Pope recorded an average of 8.7 points and 2.2 rebounds on 43.9% shooting from the field and 34.2% from three.
Meanwhile, Clarke was a more noteworthy role player, as he averaged 8.3 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 62.1% from the field.
Konchar appears to be the least convincing asset in this package. Although he has upside as a 3-and-D player, he hasn’t received much playing time in the Grizzlies’ rotation, as he averaged 2.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game on 45.1% shooting from the field and 37.1% from three.
The three veterans in this proposal still have two years left on their deals. Although this could create problems in clearing cap space for an immediate rebuild, Philadelphia could look to cut a few players during training camp to make space on the roster to accommodate them.
Would this trade make the 76ers a competitive unit in the current context? Probably not. But it would give them the assets required to build a more cohesive unit for the future.
The Grizzlies Form A New “Big Three”
With the departure of Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies need a reliable wing. to fill out their starting lineup. In this regard, George appears to be the appropriate replacement
The Grizzlies would be taking a huge risk if they signed Paul George to a contract. So, the 76ers would need to throw in some draft compensation to sweeten the deal.
The organisation may have high hopes for George because he is a future second-round pick and because he has the makings of a great acquisition. George had a rough go of it last year.
The nine-time All-Star seemed out of place in 41 games played for the club, averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 43.0% from the field and 35.8% from behind the three-point line. During his peak, he was among the league’s best two-way players.
Even if he still has some athleticism, it’s clear that his injuries have made it hard for him to be as effective as before.
But the 35-year-old may have a chance to turn things around if he signs with Memphis. With their current roster, the Grizzlies will not be able to challenge for a Western Conference title. George would be able to start putting himself back up again with less stress.
Although there are a number of possible explanations for George’s decline in shot attempts, the end consequence has been a decrease in his scoring production.
The forward might see an increase in offensive output in a scenario where he has a lot more room to establish himself offensively, particularly as a supplementary option alongside Morant.
Should he succeed in doing so, the Grizzlies stand a chance to see an overall improvement in output, yielding more success in the regular season.
Neither Team Really Benefits From This Trade
Although it is worth noting that there are potential benefits involved for both teams, it is clear that the risks associated with this deal are also worth considering.
For Philadelphia, taking on players who may not be a part of the regular rotation may not be favorable, primarily as it hinders the growth of their young core.
Even if they decide against a rebuild, it is still counterproductive, as these additions don’t elevate their roster strength.
For the Grizzlies, taking on a massive contract like George’s goes against their offseason approach.
By trading Bane, Memphis shed a significant amount of cap space to help with retooling. Acquiring the nine-time All-Star would undo all this work and set them back.
When also factoring in George’s current status after undergoing surgery, additional concerns arise regarding his availability next season. Overall, this trade may not truly benefit either team involved.
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