Despite making a big offseason trade to try and bolster their roster, the Memphis Grizzlies will start next season shorthanded. Star Ja Morant has been suspended for the team’s first 25 games, which could hurt the Grizzlies in a deep Western Conference.
While new addition Marcus Smart will help in Morant’s absence, the Grizzlies could look to make another move to try and keep from getting off to a bad start. Memphis has been linked to Toronto Raptors wing OG Anunoby, and if the Raptors decide to move Pascal Siakam, then Anunoby could be on the trading block.
That would open the door for a potential trade between the two teams, with the Grizzlies having plenty of assets and the Raptors possibly looking to do a full teardown. But what would the specifics of a trade look like? Let’s take a look at a hypothetical trade proposal.
NBA Trades: This Toronto-Memphis deal is too good for the Grizzlies to pass up.
Dating back to last season’s trade deadline, the Raptors were seeking three first-round picks for Anunoby, and the Grizzlies and Indiana Pacers were willing to meet that asking price. The Pacers as well as the Oklahoma City Thunder remain potential landing spots for Anunoby, posing a threat to outbid the Grizzlies.
Thus, in this trade package with the Raptors, Memphis would go all-in and offer their 2026, 2028, and 2030 firsts in addition to Brandon Clarke. That might be a steep price considering how good Clarke is when healthy, but he will likely be out until December at the earliest due to an Achilles tear. Also, he might not be the same player, at least as far as next season is concerned.
That might make it easier to part with him for the Grizzlies while a rebuilding Toronto team can afford to be patient with him. Adding Anunoby would give the Grizzlies one of the most stacked starting lineups in the NBA, with Morant, Desmond Bane, Anunoby, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Steven Adams. Meanwhile, Smart would operate as a sixth man and allow the Grizzlies to play small without actually giving up much size.
All in all, whether Toronto decides to move Anunoby will depend on if they move Siakam. If they do, then Memphis has the assets needed to land him.
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Author: Cal Durrett
August 10, 2023 | 12:00 pm
