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Former NBA Lottery Pick Shares Viral Post After Getting Traded

The Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets have finalized a trade

Joey Linn

Jan 16, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Ziaire Williams (8) and the rest of the Memphis Grizzlies huddle prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum.
Jan 16, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Ziaire Williams (8) and the rest of the Memphis Grizzlies huddle prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum. / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
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The Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets have officially finalized a trade that sends former lottery pick Ziaire Williams to Brooklyn.

In their press release on the deal, Memphis revealed the details, writing the following:

"The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team acquired forward Mamadi Diakite (MAH-muh-dee dee-uh-KEY-tay) and the draft rights to wing Nemanja Dangubic (nay-MON-yah dahn-GUBE-itch), the 54th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, from the Brooklyn Nets for wing Ziaire Williams and a future second round draft pick."

Williams was selected 10th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, but never emerged as a consistent rotation player for Memphis.

Having spent his entire career in Memphis, Williams had a strong connection with his Grizzlies teammates, and especially star point guard Ja Morant. Sharing a heartfelt Instagram post on Friday, Williams shared 10 different pictures/videos of his time in Memphis:

This post has gone viral on Instagram, especially after it was reshared by Morant who has 9.8 million followers. The star point guard also left a comment under the post with multiple emojis including an eight ball (Williams' number) and a blue heart.

The Nets should be a great fit for Williams, as they are amid a rebuild that will give players like him an extended opportunity at the NBA level.

With a lot of upside at just 22 years old, perhaps Williams can find himself as an NBA player in Brooklyn.

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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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