Memphis Grizzlies Receive: G/F Matisse Thybulle, F Georges Niang, 2029 First-Round Pick (Top 5 Protected – PHI)
Phoenix Suns Receive: F/C Brandon Clarke, G/F Furkan Korkmaz
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: F Jae Crowder
For evidence of the difficulties of the pursuit of an NBA title, look no further than the Memphis Grizzlies.
Last year was an encouraging one for this young squad. Their 56 wins made for the second highest total in the Western Conference. They advanced to the second round of the playoffs, an impressive showing for a team built around a 23-year-old point guard in Ja Morant.
Realistically, nobody ever expected the Grizzlies to enter 2022-23 as title favourites. Still, they were dark horse contenders: until the aforementioned Jackson Jr. injury, that is.
Such is life in the NBA. The anatomy of a contender is fragile – an injury to one key player is the difference between championship chasing or not.
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Without their defensive anchor and second-best player, the Grizzlies probably won’t be invited to the contender’s table.
With that in mind, they may want to consider taking something of a gap year. Does this deal help their long-term prospects?
