RealGM

So Memphis is lacking a clear SF and Starting C.

They play Jaren Jackson as C, but he clearly seems more effective as a PF who shifts into C based on lineups.

As it stands, Edey is the only true C on their roster, and he is a rookie. If the Grizz want to make the playoffs, they’ll have to trade their glut of PFs:

Jaren Jackson
GG Jackson
Brandon Clarke
Santi Aldama


What would be a good trade to net them a starting C? We can assume that JJJ and GG are off limits. Clarke is a negative contract, so Santi and their upcoming 1st are the likeliest incentives.

JJJ is more effective at Center. His shooting and shot-blocking combination makes him desirable at Center, especially when playing next to a non-shooter in Ja Morant.

Unless Memphis is adding a 3P shooting Center, it makes little sense to acquire another Center.

Colbinii wrote:JJJ is more effective at Center. His shooting and shot-blocking combination makes him desirable at Center, especially when playing next to a non-shooter in Ja Morant.

Unless Memphis is adding a 3P shooting Center, it makes little sense to acquire another Center.

How’s this:

Brandon Clarke, Santi Aldama, ‘25 MEM 1st
for
Kelly Olynyk, ‘26 IND 1st



Olynyk would pair really well with JJJ/Smart/Morant, as he stretches the floor and passes the ball very well. He could also be a good mentor to Edey.

MessiahUjiri wrote:

Colbinii wrote:JJJ is more effective at Center. His shooting and shot-blocking combination makes him desirable at Center, especially when playing next to a non-shooter in Ja Morant.

Unless Memphis is adding a 3P shooting Center, it makes little sense to acquire another Center.

How’s this:

Brandon Clarke, Santi Aldama, ‘25 MEM 1st
for
Kelly Olynyk, ‘26 IND 1st



Olynyk would pair really well with JJJ/Smart/Morant, as he stretches the floor and passes the ball very well. He could also be a good mentor to Edey.

Why not just Clarke/2 2nds for Olynyk?

Colbinii wrote:

MessiahUjiri wrote:

Colbinii wrote:JJJ is more effective at Center. His shooting and shot-blocking combination makes him desirable at Center, especially when playing next to a non-shooter in Ja Morant.

Unless Memphis is adding a 3P shooting Center, it makes little sense to acquire another Center.

How’s this:

Brandon Clarke, Santi Aldama, ‘25 MEM 1st
for
Kelly Olynyk, ‘26 IND 1st



Olynyk would pair really well with JJJ/Smart/Morant, as he stretches the floor and passes the ball very well. He could also be a good mentor to Edey.

Why not just Clarke/2 2nds for Olynyk?

Clarke is clearly a negative contract (injury prone, doesn’t shoot, undersized at 6’8…). You need 2 2nds just to dump him.

This assigns no value to Olynyk, who is clearly a positive player, although not a star.


I think you need more than 2 deferred 2nds, especially since the 2nds are likely to be late picks.

at any given time, one to three of them are hurt, so no not necessarily. also I imagine JJJ or Clarke will play a lot of C this year

lol I appreciate you thinking of us but we are good. Edey will start at Center and Jaren will close at Center. Also we will likely convert Jay Huff to our 15th roster spot. I will leave it there.

Maybe something like Kennard/2nds at the deadline for KellyO. Memphis does not view Clarke as a negative contract, I understand outside fan might but I don't think we do at all and doubt we want to trade him straight up for KellyO.

Cavs have an expiring LeVert and could use a backup big.

The premise of this thread is flawed

MessiahUjiri wrote:

Colbinii wrote:

MessiahUjiri wrote:


How’s this:

Brandon Clarke, Santi Aldama, ‘25 MEM 1st
for
Kelly Olynyk, ‘26 IND 1st



Olynyk would pair really well with JJJ/Smart/Morant, as he stretches the floor and passes the ball very well. He could also be a good mentor to Edey.

Why not just Clarke/2 2nds for Olynyk?

Clarke is clearly a negative contract (injury prone, doesn’t shoot, undersized at 6’8…). You need 2 2nds just to dump him.

This assigns no value to Olynyk, who is clearly a positive player, although not a star.


I think you need more than 2 deferred 2nds, especially since the 2nds are likely to be late picks.

Clarke isn't undersized at the 4, at the 5 yeah.

From boston
Springer for Santi
Schierman for gg Jackson
Add pics as necessary

In my view, Memphis would appreciate an opportunity to upgrade its bench bigs - Clarke and Aldama - with a starting caliber big like Clax. Olynik or Poeltl or similar borderline starters cannot be seen as upgrade. No interest.

Can't Aldama just play some center minutes if needed?

He seems like the sort of big PF who regularly play center minutes without issue.

giberish wrote:Can't Aldama just play some center minutes if needed?

He seems like the sort of big PF who regularly play center minutes without issue.

Spot minutes sure against certain centers/lineups, but he is less of a defensive liability at PF. Clarke/JJJ/Edey is likely eating all the center minutes, and Huff looks capable of eating 10-15 minutes too if get hit with injuries. Center is not really a big concern.

SF isn't really a concern either, sure we would have loved to land a OG/Bridges strong starter/sub all star level guy but Memphis has a lot of faith in our depth. A lot of Memphis fans think VWill is pegged to be our long term starter at SF and is on a ultra bargain deal which will allow us lots of options with salary elsewhere. GG is super intriguing but he is likely a 6th man type for a few years before we think about starting him. So unless the SF is a clear cut above what we have in house then we likely are not interested in someone's Bruce Brown type.

You're a bit late to the party. You should have been looking for a center at the deadline last season.

I know Nikola Vucevic is awful and no good and all the rest. If he could give you the same 10 rebounds a game he had last year and maybe 12pp instead of the 18 he had for the Bulls you'd have JJJ at the 4 providing the defense with Bane that everydody says Vucevic lacks. He also has this year and next left on his contract sometime next season Edny should have learned enough to take over the starting role.

Clarke is signed for 3 years which isn't great but at a low cost so all you have to do is put in the rest of the money to make it work

Memphis has signaled repeatedly that they believe they are fine at center. Now maybe it turns out, they are wrong and the rookie can't defend at this level and JJJ can't stay healthy enough and they have to go add someone. But they have plenty of time before the deadline to make that move. We see teams do this every year.

esvl wrote:In my view, Memphis would appreciate an opportunity to upgrade its bench bigs - Clarke and Aldama - with a starting caliber big like Clax. Olynik or Poeltl or similar borderline starters cannot be seen as upgrade. No interest.

Call me crazy but I think Poeltl is better than Claxton. Good passer, great defender, I think more impactful as an anchor than Claxton. He'd also be a great guy for Edey to get reps against every day.

babyjax13 wrote:

esvl wrote:In my view, Memphis would appreciate an opportunity to upgrade its bench bigs - Clarke and Aldama - with a starting caliber big like Clax. Olynik or Poeltl or similar borderline starters cannot be seen as upgrade. No interest.

Call me crazy but I think Poeltl is better than Claxton. Good passer, great defender, I think more impactful as an anchor than Claxton. He'd also be a great guy for Edey to get reps against every day.

Poeltl’s red flag is his lack of ultimate strength, both mental and physical. He is useless in PO games for that reason. Clax is an exceptional defender both inside and outside the paint. JJJ-Clax-Vince-Smart in clutch? Nobody would ever score. Nobody.

esvl wrote:In my view, Memphis would appreciate an opportunity to upgrade its bench bigs - Clarke and Aldama - with a starting caliber big like Clax. Olynik or Poeltl or similar borderline starters cannot be seen as upgrade. No interest.

I don't understand why you consistently act like Memphis has no room to improve on the margins. Every team would want starting caliber bigs on the bench. But that's not always doable. Going from a backup caliber player to a better backup caliber player still helps the team. You consistently act like Memphis is too good to benefit from that type of move though.