Major Trade Idea Between Grizzlies and Trail Blazers

Could the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers make this trade?
Major Trade Idea Between Grizzlies and Trail Blazers
Major Trade Idea Between Grizzlies and Trail Blazers /

The Memphis Grizzlies are at least one solid piece away from serious title contention. A great regular season team, the Grizzlies showed in the first round vs. the Los Angeles Lakers why so many were skeptical about their ability to thrive in a playoff setting.

With their biggest need for an upgrade being at the small forward position, the Grizzlies will likely be aggressive this offseason in searching for a high-level starter they can plug next to their Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. trio. In a hypothetical trade idea from Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant was named as an option.

Grant played 63 games for the Trail Blazers last season, averaging 20.5 PPG on 47.5% from the field and 40.1% from deep. With Grant set to enter unrestricted free agency this summer, a deal would have to come via a sign and trade. If the Grizzlies are looking for an upgrade over Dillon Brooks without losing too much on the defensive side, then Grant would be a great option for them to target.

During their first round loss to the Lakers, it was evident that the Grizzlies needed a shooting threat in the small forward role. With Morant's game being so reliant on driving lanes, Brooks' defender leaving him open and helping on those drives made life much more difficult for Morant and the Grizzlies. Replacing him with someone like Grant, who shot 40.1% from deep last season, would be ideal.

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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.