Memphis Grizzlies Add March Madness Hero After Intriguing Trade

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated Jul 20, 2024 9:11 AM ET

The Memphis Grizzlies made a move of late, as they sent Ziaire Williams and a future second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Mamadi Diakite and rights to Nemanja Dangubic, who was the 54th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Via the X account of the Grizzlies’ public relations department:

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.

Ziaire Williams was selected by the Grizzlies as the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. His team option worth $6.13 million in the 2024-25 NBA season was picked up by the Grizzlies in 2023 but will now be shouldered by the Nets.

Meanwhile, Diakite has switched teams anew this offseason. He was traded by the New York Nets to Brooklyn as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Milal Bridges to The Big Apple. He has seen action for five teams so far in his NBA career but has averaged just 9.6 minutes per game. He is perhaps best known for draining the buzzer-beating shot in the 2019 Elite Eight game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Purdue Boilermakers.

Diakite only has a year remaining on his current deal which will cost the Grizzlies just $2.273 million in the next season.

In other words, the Grizzlies created extra leg space in their cap room. Following the trade, the Grizzlies are now under the first tax apron by $15.7 million and below the second tax apron by $26.5 million.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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