What Western Conference team should do after dealing star

"I'm told the Grizzlies are signaling privately that they will continue to build around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. The Grizzlies view this as a pivot away from that core — Desmond Bane, Morant and Jackson Jr. — and allow this team to have a little more youth, a little more financial flexibility moving forward," Charania said Monday. 

"Most importantly, [they get] a massive haul of draft picks — four unprotected first-round picks, one slightly protected pick swap. They really want to continue to build around those two. That allows them to have a level of flexibility."

Charania also mentioned Memphis believes Jackson Jr.'s looming extension was a key factor in trading Bane. Moving Bane's contract will help facilitate a new contract for one of the Grizzlies' cornerstone players.

This decision is a mistake that Memphis will regret in the long run.

Morant hasn't proved dependable over the past two seasons. The 25-year-old guard has only appeared in 59 regular-season games during that span because of suspensions and injuries. Morant's lack of self-awareness and self-discipline have probably lowered his stock on the trade market, but the Grizzlies would be better off moving the 2019 second overall selection.

Jackson Jr. has been productive throughout his seven-year career in the regular season, averaging 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists and shooting 46.6 percent from the floor. But his game dips in the postseason.

In 27 playoff games, the 25-year-old forward is averaging 15.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists and shooting 39.6 from the floor. Jackson Jr. also struggles to stay on the floor at times in the postseason because of foul trouble.

Jackson Jr. is entering the final year of his current deal and is eligible for an extension this summer. Signing him to a contract that could average $45M to $50M per year would not be a good investment for a player who sees a downtick in production during the postseason.

Morant and Jackson Jr. are a fine pairing, but in a loaded Western Conference, the Grizzlies are unlikely to compete even if Bane were still on the roster. Center Zach Edey is expected to miss the beginning of the 2025-26 season (per Charania) after undergoing surgery to stabilize his ankle earlier this offseason.

At best, Memphis (48-34 this season) is a borderline playoff team, and even in that case, it will most likely face the same fate as this past season, when it got swept in four games in the first round by Oklahoma City. The Grizzlies should take calls on Morant and Jackson Jr. and start over with a boatload of first-round picks.