The Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers find themselves in very different situations entering the NBA offseason. At the same time, they have a lot in common.
Let’s start with the similarities. Both teams are built around a point guard. They’re both small-market clubs in the Western Conference. Actually, that’s about all we can think of.
Otherwise, the Grizzlies are on the upswing, and the Blazers are in decline. That’s owed to the age gap between Ja Morant and Damian Lillard as much as anything else. In 2021-22, the Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals. The Blazers missed the playoffs altogether.
Reports suggest that they don’t intend on doing the same in 2022-23. Still, some would argue that they ought to. The Blazers appear intent on retooling around Lillard and getting back to their competitive ways.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Memphis Grizzlies Among Teams We’d Love To See Trade For Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard?
What if the Trail Blazers organization decided to pivot into a wholesale rebuild? There’s certainly a case to be made that it’s overdue and would be in the best interest of their franchise.
If they did, here are three trades that send Damian Lillard to the Memphis Grizzlies.