One NBA writer believes the Memphis Grizzlies should trade for Brooklyn Nets star Mikal Bridges this summer.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report thinks the Grizzlies “need” Bridges for multiple reasons.
“It might take four first-rounders to get the job done, but the Memphis Grizzlies have the assets to start a conversation with the Brooklyn Nets on Mikal Bridges,” Hughes wrote. “The Nets already added a quartet of the Phoenix Suns’ future first-rounders (plus a swap) in the Kevin Durant deal that brought Bridges to Brooklyn last February, which means they could ultimately claim they dealt KD for eight first-round picks (plus that swap, plus Cam Johnson) if this made-up exchange were to happen.
“Brooklyn would be dealing Bridges close to the peak of his value. He shot the lights out and showed never-before-imagined levels of self-sufficient offense with the Nets. Regression feels imminent, but the Grizzlies shouldn’t care. The Suns version of Bridges would be worth plenty to them, especially with Dillon Brooks’ small forward spot vacated.”
The Phoenix Suns traded Bridges to the Nets in the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade. Bridges took his game to another level with the Nets. The swingman averaged 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 27 games with Brooklyn.
“Bridges would cause exponentially greater levels of panic than Brooks as a spacer, could perhaps run second units on his own (or with ace backup Tyus Jones) and might be one of the few wings in the league who could claim to be an even more suffocating stopper than Brooks,” Hughes wrote. “Better still, Bridges’ personality and reputation as a teammate are about as far from Brooks’ antagonistic bluster as it gets.
“The Grizzlies need this guy on the floor and in the locker room. If they serve up enough picks, they might even be able to get him.”
Memphis lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs in six games. They are expected to move on from Dillon Brooks this summer, which would open up a spot for Bridges.
More must-reads: