Should Memphis make a big move?

[rand]

Memphis has an interesting position. They have both the pieces to compete now and a cache of young talent. They could stand pat, develop their young guys and hope they make the difference for the team's potential, or they could throw a chunk of their developmental assets (they also own all of their future FRPs) at acquiring another high powered player in their starting lineup.

What would you do? If you would make a big move, who would you be targeting?

[esvl]

They will wait for the right opportunity at the deadline. They seem fully loaded now.

[Godaddycurse]

Let's see if they are healthy by the deadline first

[shrink]

I think they need to see how Ja is over the first three months before they decide.

[BlazersBroncos]

Ya Ja needs to be healthy for a decent period of time before they push any chips in.

That being said - can I interest you in a Jerami Grant? Clarke + Kennard + Jake + 25 FRP LP for Grant + Reath?

G - Ja Morant / Marcus Smart / Scotty Pippen JR
G - Desmond Bane / Marcus Smart / Jaylen Wells
F - Jerami Grant / Vince Williams JR / John Konchar
F - Jaren Jackson JR / GG Jackson / John Konchar
C - Zach Edey / Santi Aldama / Duop Reath

[Scoot McGroot]

Ya Ja needs to be healthy for a decent period of time before they push any chips in.

That being said - can I interest you in a Jerami Grant? Clarke + Kennard + Jake + 25 FRP LP for Grant + Reath?

G - Ja Morant / Marcus Smart / Scotty Pippen JR
G - Desmond Bane / Marcus Smart / Jaylen Wells
F - Jerami Grant / Vince Williams JR / John Konchar
F - Jaren Jackson JR / GG Jackson / John Konchar
C - Zach Edey / Santi Aldama / Duop Reath

Feels like Memphis would keep their FRP there. Plus, it's just tough salary matching as Clarke/Kennard are super useful players to give up in a deal like this, too, especially if they're making a deal to really push forward immediately in the playoffs.

[ChettheJet]

If they think Ja has settled into being an adult and feel they're in a window to go deep in the playoffs then they could make a big move. What do they have to give up to get what they think is a big move?

I'd make a small move for Nikola Vucevic. Yeah they just drafted Edny, and you're so sure he is the 5 that instantly elevates them in the playoffs? Vucevic provides them with guy who can play inside or out, yeah he's washed up after a bad year shooting 3's and he's awful on defense and the rest we heard from you for 9 months saying that. He gives Edny time to see how much faster and stronger NBA players are, he allows JJJ to play the PF

The Bulls could take back Brandon Clarke, he's signed for a few years but not for that much, don't know what else there is. Bulls sure don't need Marcus Smart, Maybe a 3rd team as in a lot of cases would get something moving

[BlazersBroncos]

Ya Ja needs to be healthy for a decent period of time before they push any chips in.

That being said - can I interest you in a Jerami Grant? Clarke + Kennard + Jake + 25 FRP LP for Grant + Reath?

G - Ja Morant / Marcus Smart / Scotty Pippen JR
G - Desmond Bane / Marcus Smart / Jaylen Wells
F - Jerami Grant / Vince Williams JR / John Konchar
F - Jaren Jackson JR / GG Jackson / John Konchar
C - Zach Edey / Santi Aldama / Duop Reath

Feels like Memphis would keep their FRP there. Plus, it's just tough salary matching as Clarke/Kennard are super useful players to give up in a deal like this, too, especially if they're making a deal to really push forward immediately in the playoffs.

PDX wouldnt be interested w/o a FRP. The FO has made it pretty clear that they see Grant as a positive value player.

[oldncreaky]

Ya Ja needs to be healthy for a decent period of time before they push any chips in.

That being said - can I interest you in a Jerami Grant? Clarke + Kennard + Jake + 25 FRP LP for Grant + Reath?

G - Ja Morant / Marcus Smart / Scotty Pippen JR
G - Desmond Bane / Marcus Smart / Jaylen Wells
F - Jerami Grant / Vince Williams JR / John Konchar
F - Jaren Jackson JR / GG Jackson / John Konchar
C - Zach Edey / Santi Aldama / Duop Reath

Feels like Memphis would keep their FRP there. Plus, it's just tough salary matching as Clarke/Kennard are super useful players to give up in a deal like this, too, especially if they're making a deal to really push forward immediately in the playoffs.

Another issue for Memphis would be rebounding. Both Grant and JJJ are below-average rebounders for their positions, which puts a ton of stress on the C and the rest of the line up. Edey's rebounding should translate from college, but we are yet to see how effective he will be in the NBA, how long it takes him to adjust to the NBA, and show he can stay on the court.

A team that thinks it can contend shouldn't make themselves too reliant on a rookie C

[psman2]

Memphis revamped their coaching staff behind Jenkins this offseason. We brought in a new lead assistant that well be installing a new offensive system. European offensive mastermind Tuomas Lisalo took Paris to the Euroleague the past season, by winning the Eurocup title with the greatest offensive rating of all time (126.8). So I think we will have to see how this change and our health holds up before we decide to make any big moves. Plus we have a few young players that we think are rotation worthy but have to see them play for a winning team versus a tanking team. We lost some of our proven depth the past two offseasons, but now going into this season it seems like we are in a much better position even if the young guys are not totally proven.

But the answer is simply, if a trade for a star that compliments our core becomes available then that is the clear preferred direction. However they are likely no available stars that match that criteria. But if Bam or AD wiggle free then that is the type of star we would be interested in. I don't think a guy like Ingram really brings a lot to this team that we need and hampers our cap sheet too much.

Most likely path is we let the season unfold and look to for a small tweak at the deadline if needed. I think we might see us sign Fultz or DSJ now that Rose is off the roster or convert SPJ from his 2 way deal. Our last roster spot will likely be kept open going into the season.

[psman2]

Ya Ja needs to be healthy for a decent period of time before they push any chips in.

That being said - can I interest you in a Jerami Grant? Clarke + Kennard + Jake + 25 FRP LP for Grant + Reath?

G - Ja Morant / Marcus Smart / Scotty Pippen JR
G - Desmond Bane / Marcus Smart / Jaylen Wells
F - Jerami Grant / Vince Williams JR / John Konchar
F - Jaren Jackson JR / GG Jackson / John Konchar
C - Zach Edey / Santi Aldama / Duop Reath

Feels like Memphis would keep their FRP there. Plus, it's just tough salary matching as Clarke/Kennard are super useful players to give up in a deal like this, too, especially if they're making a deal to really push forward immediately in the playoffs.

PDX wouldnt be interested w/o a FRP. The FO has made it pretty clear that they see Grant as a positive value player.

Well Memphis sees both of Clarke and Kennard as positive rotation players as well and Jake himself is on the verge of playing himself into the rotation with the GG injury. Grant is not a SF anymore and his rebounding is too weak to play him next to JJJ in the frontcourt. Just a bad fit and his salary is too prohibiting going forward with us having to pay JJJ soon.

[psman2]

Ya Ja needs to be healthy for a decent period of time before they push any chips in.

That being said - can I interest you in a Jerami Grant? Clarke + Kennard + Jake + 25 FRP LP for Grant + Reath?

G - Ja Morant / Marcus Smart / Scotty Pippen JR
G - Desmond Bane / Marcus Smart / Jaylen Wells
F - Jerami Grant / Vince Williams JR / John Konchar
F - Jaren Jackson JR / GG Jackson / John Konchar
C - Zach Edey / Santi Aldama / Duop Reath

Feels like Memphis would keep their FRP there. Plus, it's just tough salary matching as Clarke/Kennard are super useful players to give up in a deal like this, too, especially if they're making a deal to really push forward immediately in the playoffs.

Another issue for Memphis would be rebounding. Both Grant and JJJ are below-average rebounders for their positions, which puts a ton of stress on the C and the rest of the line up. Edey's rebounding should translate from college, but we are yet to see how effective he will be in the NBA, how long it takes him to adjust to the NBA, and show he can stay on the court.

A team that thinks it can contend shouldn't make themselves too reliant on a rookie C

I expect that Zach will be in the 24-25 minute range unless his game really doesn't translate or he outperforms expectations. We will be a little thin upfront if he cannot earn those minutes and likely need to swing a trade for a big if that happens. Memphis fans were hoping we used our full MLE to shore up the 4/5 this offseason but we choose to not be a tax paying team instead.

And yes Grant is one of the worse fits for our team needs our there. Our SF rotation will be the most interesting decisions this season, no clear direction but lots of intriguing options. I think VWill will earn the most minutes there and Memphis fans are really excited to see him win the position outright by the end of the year.

Our rotation and minutes breakdown I think will look something like this to start the season and will be adjusted once GG Jackson is back. GG minutes will likely come at the expense of Kennard/LaRavia/Aldama depending on what is working when he comes back.

Ja (33) Smart (11) SPJ (4)
Bane (33) Smart (6) Kennard (9)
Smart (10) VWill (25) Kennard (9) LaRavia (4)
JJJ (18) Aldama (20) Clarke (8) LaRavia (2)
Edey (24) JJJ (10) Clarke (14)

[louc1970]

Figuring 5 of the players are not going to be traded (unless there is some major overpay) - Morant, Bane, Jackson 1 and Jackson 2, and Edey. Everyone else is up for debate at the right price.
The most glaring need is a SF who can score (Miles Bridges/Brandon Ingram type). There is enough defense on the team to support their offensive mentality.

Memphis sends Clarke, Smart, LaRavia
NOP sends Ingram.

Memphis gets a scorer to team with Morant. NOP gets 2 PFs who come off the bench allowing Jones and Murphy to start.

November trade:
Memphis sends Clarke, Kennard, LaRavia, SRPs
Charlotte sends Bridges

Memphis gets a scorer (again). Charlotte gains some size at the PF spot and a shooter.

[Apz]

Just wait and see what it looks like. If it looks great at tradedeadline, thats the time to go all in on trying to get the championship

[esvl]

Most likely path is we let the season unfold and look to for a small tweak at the deadline if needed. I think we might see us sign Fultz or DSJ now that Rose is off the roster or convert SPJ from his 2 way deal. Our lost roster spot will likely be kept open going into the season.

I am totally for Fultz

[psman2]

Most likely path is we let the season unfold and look to for a small tweak at the deadline if needed. I think we might see us sign Fultz or DSJ now that Rose is off the roster or convert SPJ from his 2 way deal. Our lost roster spot will likely be kept open going into the season.

I am totally for Fultz

I would be fine with either, likely both an upgrade over what Rose was likely to have given us this year. Rose really did us a solid giving up his salary this year. DSJ likely takes the min but Fultz likely asks for more, which now we can do now if we choose to.

We have the luxury of waiting to convert SPJ, I would like to bring in one of the above and let them battle it out with SPJ to see who really deserves that backup PG spot and then make a decision on SPJ later if needed. We now have enough cap space that we can sign a guy to a min and release him later if needed to convert SPJ and still have enough cap to sign someone else to that 15th spot and stay below the tax.

[psman2]

Figuring 5 of the players are not going to be traded (unless there is some major overpay) - Morant, Bane, Jackson 1 and Jackson 2, and Edey. Everyone else is up for debate at the right price.
The most glaring need is a SF who can score (Miles Bridges/Brandon Ingram type). There is enough defense on the team to support their offensive mentality.

Memphis sends Clarke, Smart, LaRavia
NOP sends Ingram.

Memphis gets a scorer to team with Morant. NOP gets 2 PFs who come off the bench allowing Jones and Murphy to start.

November trade:
Memphis sends Clarke, Kennard, LaRavia, SRPs
Charlotte sends Bridges

Memphis gets a scorer (again). Charlotte gains some size at the PF spot and a shooter.

These prices are reasonable but why do you think we need a 4th guy capable of scoring 20+ points that expects a max. No team in NBA history has every had 4 20 point scores over a full season. I don't think we want to scale back JJJ's offense, his scoring in the frontcourt opens up a lot more things than sacrificing his touches to give it to Ingram or Bridges. After all the Ja Drama, I doubt we look at Bridges at this point in time.

I think we could use a sixth man type that can give us some instant offense, we were hoping that could be GG Jackson but his age and injury may not allow him to be that guy this year. But the 6th man offensive guy market is really thin right now so we likely don't swing trade there.

[Scoot McGroot]

Ya Ja needs to be healthy for a decent period of time before they push any chips in.

That being said - can I interest you in a Jerami Grant? Clarke + Kennard + Jake + 25 FRP LP for Grant + Reath?

G - Ja Morant / Marcus Smart / Scotty Pippen JR
G - Desmond Bane / Marcus Smart / Jaylen Wells
F - Jerami Grant / Vince Williams JR / John Konchar
F - Jaren Jackson JR / GG Jackson / John Konchar
C - Zach Edey / Santi Aldama / Duop Reath

Feels like Memphis would keep their FRP there. Plus, it's just tough salary matching as Clarke/Kennard are super useful players to give up in a deal like this, too, especially if they're making a deal to really push forward immediately in the playoffs.

PDX wouldnt be interested w/o a FRP. The FO has made it pretty clear that they see Grant as a positive value player.

Sure. But that would be an overpay for Memphis. Remember, Memphis also sees Clarke and Kennard as positive value players, too. Generally, when you trade those types of players for each other, and neither is a star, there’s just no picks involved.

[BarbaGrizz]

If they think Ja has settled into being an adult and feel they're in a window to go deep in the playoffs then they could make a big move. What do they have to give up to get what they think is a big move?

I'd make a small move for Nikola Vucevic. Yeah they just drafted Edny, and you're so sure he is the 5 that instantly elevates them in the playoffs? Vucevic provides them with guy who can play inside or out, yeah he's washed up after a bad year shooting 3's and he's awful on defense and the rest we heard from you for 9 months saying that. He gives Edny time to see how much faster and stronger NBA players are, he allows JJJ to play the PF

The Bulls could take back Brandon Clarke, he's signed for a few years but not for that much, don't know what else there is. Bulls sure don't need Marcus Smart, Maybe a 3rd team as in a lot of cases would get something moving

In a Clarke for Vuc deal the Bulls is the team who should be sending assets back

[tester551]

If they think Ja has settled into being an adult and feel they're in a window to go deep in the playoffs then they could make a big move. What do they have to give up to get what they think is a big move?

I'd make a small move for Nikola Vucevic. Yeah they just drafted Edny, and you're so sure he is the 5 that instantly elevates them in the playoffs? Vucevic provides them with guy who can play inside or out, yeah he's washed up after a bad year shooting 3's and he's awful on defense and the rest we heard from you for 9 months saying that. He gives Edny time to see how much faster and stronger NBA players are, he allows JJJ to play the PF

The Bulls could take back Brandon Clarke, he's signed for a few years but not for that much, don't know what else there is. Bulls sure don't need Marcus Smart, Maybe a 3rd team as in a lot of cases would get something moving

In a Clarke for Vuc deal the Bulls is the team who should be sending assets back

As an outsider to both teams-> I disagree with this take.