Why The Memphis Grizzlies Do The Deal
Meanwhile, for Memphis, having Jones on the bench is a luxury they may not be able to afford for long. After next season, he’ll hit unrestricted free agency. Rest assured, someone is going to pay Jones. They may even pay him a sum the Grizzlies can’t afford.
With that said, Ayton makes a pretty penny in his own right. Still, his contract will expire before Jones’ does. For Memphis, this is partly about balancing the books.
It could be about getting their big man of the future as well. Ayton is still young with room to improve. Meanwhile, pairing him with Jaren Jackson Jr. ought to give the Grizzlies an even more impactful defense than they already have. After all, a big man like Ayton can still be highly impactful.
A significant factor in this scenario would be the Grizzlies’ genuine belief in Ayton’s ceiling as a player. Would he be enhanced playing next to Ja Morant and the shooting threats their offense boasts? From an outsider’s perspective, we’d say yes.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deandre Ayton, Memphis Grizzlies & Phoenix Suns Updates
If Ayton thrived in a larger role with the Grizzlies, he could certainly be a well-valued member of their team. Anything to add more firepower in ways that complement their best players would be helpful options to explore. This move would achieve that.
