Two Trades Could Elevate the Memphis Grizzlies

How much change, though, is the question. Some media outlets feel that Ja Morant may be on the way out. That is almost certainly too much change – moving on from the franchise’s best player ever after a 48-34 campaign is probably an overreaction. And yes, the way of roster building in this new collective bargaining agreement era may frown upon three big contracts.

But depending on how Jaren Jackson Jr.’s extension conversations go this summer, Memphis may be a year away from that being a full concern.

With the now-official coaching change this Friday afternoon, this could unlock more from Memphis’ “Big Three”. But you don’t say your team is “not close” and then do nothing in terms of roster building. With no first-round pick in this draft thanks to the Marcus Smart salary dump move, Memphis has some tools to work with— but not many.

Free agency is a possibility — the Grizzlies do have the full mid-level exception — but Memphis is not a prime destination. Trade is usually how this front office brings in players outside of the draft. With that in mind, here’s how the Grizzlies could shake things up and address some core needs in two “easy” steps.

Trade #1: Memphis acquires Herbert Jones

Grizzlies send Brandon Clarke, a 2027 1st round pick (Protected 1-6, becomes two 2nd round picks in 2027 and 2028 if not conveyed), and the rights to a 2029 1st round pick swap to the New Orleans Pelicans for Herb Jones.

Control of two firsts? For Herb Jones? In this economy?

The Pelicans value Jones a good deal as a homegrown talent who has shone on the defensive end, especially. But asset accumulation is key as New Orleans potentially ventures into the rebuilding world post-Zion Williamson. Taking on Clarke, who has multiple years left on his contract at $12.5 million a year as he recovers from a PCL injury, is very much a rebuilding move. But a first-round selection that could be in the NBA Draft Lottery, plus the right to swap in 2029 when Memphis may have collapsed under the weight of going “all-in”, feels like fair compensation.

Of course, if this theoretical plan goes right, the Grizzlies will not be in the lottery. Jones is the first domino of that plan to fall. Jones only makes about $476,000 more than Clarke, an important number for Memphis to keep an eye on as money tightens. Plus, Jones’ defensive abilities fit nicely with what the Grizzlies have prioritized in the past. He’s elite on ball, getting steals and deflections while making opposing teams miserable offensively.

Opposing teams scored 7.8 fewer points per 100 possessions when Jones was on the floor. And Jones can play both the three and the four. Given his three-point shooting shortcomings, that matters.

Trade #2: Memphis trades for two Miami wings

Grizzlies send John Konchar, GG Jackson, a 2026 2nd-round pick, and a 2029 2nd-round pick to the Miami Heat for Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Haywood Highsmith.

In this scenario, Memphis moves on from the best prospect in the deal, plus a solid rebounder/glue end-of-bench player and future draft picks, to acquire two players from the “Heat Culture” who are both “dogs”.

Highsmith and Jaquez Jr. do not have the ceiling that GG does, and Konchar replicates a lot of what Jaquez Jr. does in particular— especially as a rebounder. This is a Grizzlies bet on ceilings in particular— Highsmith (74 games played) and Jaquez Jr. (66 games played) logged a lot of time being productive bench players.

Miami is stuck trying to find high-caliber players who can play next to Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Jackson could be a mid-risk, high-reward bet on talent that was on display in 2023-2024 and led to an All-Rookie team selection. If the injury caused GG’s sophomore slump? Jackson being the best player in this deal is very possible.

This trade adds roughly $828,000 to the Grizzlies’ cap ledger, making the roster $1.2 million more expensive than it was before we started.

In review

Memphis has shipped out Brandon Clarke, John Konchar, and GG Jackson, plus multiple pieces of draft capital. But this would be the Grizzlies’ projected roster (assuming a Santi Aldama return in restricted free agency)-

• Guards: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Scotty Pippen Jr., Cam Spencer (replacing a departing-in-free-agency Luke Kennard)
• Wings: Jaylen Wells, Herb Jones,  Jaime Jaquez Jr., Haywood Highsmith, Vince Williams Jr.
• Bigs: Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, Jay Huff

Two veteran minimum signings and a two-way contract addition (potentially filled in part by one of two 2025 second-round picks) later, and Memphis has added versatility and availability to their lineup. The Grizzlies would still need another guard (Malcolm Brogdon, maybe?) and a big (Mason Plumlee, perhaps?) to round things out.

Considering what was traded to get there? Memphis would be better suited for a playoff run. A Morant/Bane/Pippen Jr./Wells/Jones/Jaquez Jr. (or Williams Jr. if healthy and back to pre-ankle injury levels)/Highsmith/Jackson Jr./Edey/Aldama 10-man rotation would be among the very best in the NBA, capable of scoring with their stars and defending with their role players.

A title contender? Time would tell. But they’d be closer after these two transactions.