Major Trade Idea Between Grizzlies and Wizards

Could the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards pull off this trade?

The Memphis Grizzlies are in the market for a starting small forward. With Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies are looking to build around this trio as they enter next season. Dillon Brooks had previously been the starting small forward next to Morant, Bane, and Jackson, but with Memphis not expected to bring him back, that position could be filled via trade.

In a recent article from Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz, a major swap between the Grizzlies and Washington Wizards was proposed, and it lands Kyle Kuzma in Memphis. It is of course hypothetical trade season, so the framework of these trade proposals is never indicative of any actual interest on either side, but this deal is certainly an interesting one.

In this trade idea, Kuzma heads to Memphis in exchange for Brandon Clarke, Jake LaRavia, and a 2023 first-round pick. Kuzma has a $13M player option this summer that he will likely decline, which would make a sign and trade the only path to this deal. For Washington, rather than losing Kuzma for nothing, they could opt for a trade like this that nets draft compensation and a couple players in return.

For Kuzma, a sign and trade may also be in his best interest as well, as most teams with the cap space to sign him outright are not ideal landing spots.

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