RealGM

Not trying to spam the board, but I didn't see another Minnesota/Memphis thread.

What are your reactions to this offer:

#3, Buckner, McCants for #5, #28, Collins, Lowry (traded for trade exception)

Buckner has next year and a $1 million buyout the year after left on his contract.

Who do you think the Grizzlies would take 3rd? I don't think the Wolves would do it because they risk the Sonics taking either Mayo or Lopez (whichever the Grizzlies don't take). If Seattle took the remaining player, then Minnesota would be left with nothing.

Good question. I think the Grizz would take Mayo. He seems to be the consensus #3. Most mocks have the Sonics taking Bayless, that would leave Lopez at 5 for Minnesota.

However, if Memphis wanted Lopez at #3, Seattle wouldn't pass on Mayo. Then the Wolves are indeed left in a quandary. But, Bayless, Gallinari, Love, etc. wouldn't be a bad haul at 5. I wouldn't call them "nothing," but they're certainly less than the top 4.

Also, this all pre-supposes that Rose and Beasley are 1 & 2. While Rose seems a lock for top 2, Beasley MAY fall to 3. Would that entice Memphis or is it too much of a depth chart conflict with Rudy?

I think the Grizzlies are desperate for a big. Beasley would have been a perfect fit and Memphis loves B-Easy. Of course Beasley is off the table so they could go for a center or a PF (they need an upgrade over Warrick.

I think Bayless Gallinari, and Love are third tier players. Rose and Beasley are of course first tier while Mayo, Lopez, and Bayless are second tier players. Of course these are just predictions everyone else believe, even later pick Roy won RoY a year ago. If a trade like this were to happen, it would have to be after the draft because Seattle could take Lopez.

B-Easy can't fall to #3 because the Heat would trade him down. They want some compensation for giving up one of the two best players in the draft. They know Minny wants him and Memphis needs him and they can get a lot of players such as Lowry, Miller, or Minny's first round pick back.

I don't think Memphis would give up the #28 as well as trading you a $6mil expiring deal.

If the basics of that deal are close... how about this...

#3,#34 Buckner, McCants
for
#5, #28, Collins, Lowry (traded for trade exception)

The only problem with this trade, is that I think the Grizz would select either Lopez or Love. If you solve your SG woes by getting McCants, there is no need to go after Mayo or Bayless, unless the Grizz want to trade Mike Miller and Conley to try to add another top 10 pick. That could be interesting.

Would the Knicks think about this?
Miller, Conley, Cardinal
for
#6, Randolph, Jeffries

Grizz new lineup:
Mayo#3/Lowry
McCants/Critt
Gay/Jeffries
Randolph/Love#6/Warrick
Darko/MGasol/