Washington Wizards Receive: F Brandon Clarke

Memphis Grizzlies Receive: G D’Angelo Russell, G/F Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F Kyle Anderson (Sign & Trade), G/F Dillon Brooks

By getting the Washington Wizards involved, these two sides are able to come to a better arrangement.

Here, the Memphis Grizzlies are able to send the Timberwolves the same package of Anderson and Brooks while replacing the latter. Granted, it’s a 3-for-2: the Wizards won’t get involved for nothing. Still, this deal returns a 3-and-D wing who’s actually a more reliable floor spacer than Brooks in Caldwell-Pope.

Meanwhile, the Wizards are thinking about floor balance here. They’ve got a whole platoon of players who need time at the 3 spot. What they don’t have is a combo big. Brandon Clarke will be a nice addition to this team as they hope to return to the postseason dance in 2022-23.

All told, the Grizzlies and Timberwolves will have similar goals next year. Both sides will be looking to win as much as possible: they’ve both shifted gears away from future planning, towards a focus on the present.

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If the Wolves think they’re better off without Russell, and the Grizzlies think he could improve their outlook, a deal between the two teams this summer makes perfect sense.