The Memphis Grizzlies are way ahead of even the most optimistic timelines that NBA experts have guessed they would be on. Taylor Jenkins has done a wonderful job leading this group, made up mostly of young players not even close to their primes, and turning them into a contender in the Western Conference.
After finishing with the second-best record in the NBA last season, the Grizzlies are once again looking like one of the best teams in the league. They are 31-13, owners of the third-best record currently and in second place in the Western Conference.
Memphis is going to be a tough out in the postseason as they look to make a deeper run for the third straight season. After missing in 2020, the Grizzlies won in the NBA Play-In Tournament in 2021 before losing in the first round and advancing to the conference semifinals last season. This season, the goal is Western Conference Finals or better.
The team is certainly talented enough to make that deep of a run, led by All-Star Ja Morant. The supporting cast is a strong one with Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. joining him for arguably the best young Big 3 in the NBA as they are all 24 years of age or younger.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors, Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
If there was one thing that Memphis could use it is an upgrade on the wing. Over at Bleacher Report, a hypothetical trade was put together that would address that. One of the trades put together to blow up the 2023 playoff race included the Grizzlies acquiring OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors.
Anunoby is in the running for Defensive Player of the Year as a multi-positional stopper. He is the modern-day NBA wing that teams covet to build rosters around as a two-way star. To land him, the Grizzlies are trading Danny Green, David Roddy, a 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 first-round pick (via GSW) and a lottery-protected 2025 first-round pick.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors, Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Looking to avoid the luxury tax, Anunoby is one of the players that the Raptors are receiving calls on, along with Gary Trent Jr. and Fred VanVleet. While they have given no indication about wanting to make trades, that kind of draft capital would be tough for the Raptors to pass up.
Currently, 1.5 games outside of the NBA Play-In Tournament, the next few weeks are going to be pivotal for the Raptors. If they decide rebuilding is their best path, the Grizzlies should get on the phone quickly and attempt to make a deal for Anunoby to bolster their wing rotation for what they hope is a deep postseason run.
