As the Memphis Grizzlies look toward the upcoming season, their current roster setup raises a few questions. Can the backcourt hold up when Ja Morant is on the bench? Will the lack of frontcourt depth be a problem right from the start? With the season approaching, the only solution might come from a trade—and the Grizzlies have some intriguing trade pieces if they decide to pursue this route. Marcus Smart – Savvy veteran whose timeline differs The Grizzlies made waves last season when they traded away Tyus Jones, one of their most reliable guards, in exchange for former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart.
Smart, a beloved figure with the Boston Celtics, was brought in to hold down the fort during Ja Morant's suspension. However, his season was cut short by injury. Despite this, Smart’s numbers weren’t bad, though his three-point shooting took a hit.
This isn’t entirely surprising, as Smart has never been known as a reliable deep shooter. Smart turns 31 this season, which means he still has a few good years left, but his contract runs through the 2025-26 season, and he will likely command a raise after that. With a salary of $20,210,285 for this season and $21,586,856 for the next, Smart’s contract is highly tradeable for either a star player or a high-end role player.
If the Grizzlies feel confident in Morant’s health, Desmond Bane’s continued growth, and Scotty Pippen Jr.’s potential, trading Smart for a frontcourt player could be the right move. With Jaren Jackson II's injury, this timeline may be accelerated.
The Grizzlies are also trying to stay under the luxury tax, and Jackson Jr.’s upcoming contract negotiations will not be cheap. Smart, as the fourth-highest-paid player on the team, may be a casualty of financial management if Memphis wants to remain under the luxury threshold.
Brandon Clarke – Versatile forward Brandon Clarke has proven his versatility by playing nearly every frontcourt position. However, like many of his teammates, Clarke succumbed to injuries that cut his season short. After only six games, Clarke was sidelined, but in those limited appearances, he showed flashes of his old self.
His scoring dipped slightly, but his rebounding numbers remained solid, and he played nearly the same minutes as his career average. Clarke’s main challenge is his size. At 6’8”, he’s not the ideal big man the Grizzlies need in their frontcourt, especially with rookie Zach Edey as the only true center on the roster.
Depending on a rookie to provide meaningful minutes while trying to contend could prove risky. Trading Clarke for a bigger forward or center who can give the team more depth might be the smarter option. The Grizzlies have several players who could fill Clarke’s role, including Santi Aldama, Jake LaRavia, and GG Jackson II (once he recovers from injury).
What the team doesn’t have is another reliable center. With $37.5 million left on his contract across three seasons, Clarke’s salary ($12.
5 million annually) is right around the mid-level exception, making him an attractive trade piece. © Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Jake LaRavia – Young prospect Deciding who should round out this list was tough.
Santi Aldama’s expiring rookie contract could make him a trade candidate, but Jake LaRavia’s future with the Grizzlies feels more uncertain. LaRavia is entering his third NBA season, and with only 70 games under his belt, questions remain about the team’s patience with his development. However, with Jackson II’s injury, LaRavia will likely get another chance to prove himself.
In his second year, LaRavia saw an increase in playing time, but his shooting percentages remained stagnant. His field goal percentage stayed the same, and his three-point shooting hovered around 33.9%.
While other stats improved with more minutes, his two-point shooting took a dip from 54.2% to 44.2%.
If LaRavia doesn’t show significant improvement this season, he could become a prime candidate for a trade. At just 23 years old and with another year left on his rookie contract, LaRavia could be a valuable asset for a rebuilding team looking for young talent. With a stacked 2024 rookie class, plenty of teams could look to offload veterans in exchange for future stars.
While trades likely won’t happen immediately, the Grizzlies could find themselves at the center of trade talks as the season progresses. With a lack of shooting and frontcourt length, Memphis may need to make moves sooner rather than later to avoid wasting another year of their contending window. Related: Jaren Jackson Jr.
embraces the veteran role.
