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BREAKING: Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets Make Trade

The Grizzlies and Nets have reportedly made a trade

Joey Linn

May 3, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts with forward Ziaire Williams (8) after defeating the Golden State Warriors during game two of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at FedExForum.
May 3, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts with forward Ziaire Williams (8) after defeating the Golden State Warriors during game two of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at FedExForum. / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
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It was reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday that the Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets had agreed to a trade that sends former 10th overall pick Ziaire Williams to Brooklyn. Williams had been in trade rumors for several weeks, as it had become clear the Grizzlies were looking to move on from the former lottery pick. 

Entering the NBA with a lot of perceived upside, Williams was never able to fully tap into that with Memphis. Not having a path to rotation minutes in Memphis next season, Williams now joins a Brooklyn team that should be able to give him a much bigger opportunity.

The Nets are in the middle of a rebuild after trading Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks, so they are the type of team who can give opportunities to players like Williams that could have untapped potential. For Memphis, they get back 6’9” F/C Mamadi Diakite who has played 55 career NBA games since debuting in the 2021-22 season.

The Grizzlies have yet to reach a new free agency agreement with sharpshooting guard Luke Kennard, but that may be their only big offseason move remaining after dealing Williams. It seems Memphis is confident the return of several players who were injured last season (most notably Ja Morant) is what can bring them back into the Western Conference playoff picture.

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Joey Linn

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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