After the 2022-23 NBA season, the Memphis Grizzlies needed change. So far, they’ve wasted no time making it. Dillon Brooks is out. So is Tyus Jones. Meanwhile, Marcus Smart is in. What inspired this dire need for change?
Well, the Grizzlies had a disappointing 2022-23 season. They also appeared to be in need of a culture change. The Grizzlies made plenty of headlines throughout this recent NBA season – for all of the wrong reasons.
Those changes have been made. The Grizzlies may be done. On the other hand, we wouldn’t be surprised if they made one more blockbuster deal. Could that deal be for Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors?
The Trade Proposal
Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Luke Kennard, F/C Brandon Clarke, G/F Ziare Williams, 2024 First-Round Pick (GSW via MEM), 2025 First-Round Pick (MEM), 2027 First-Round Pick (MEM), 2029 First-Round Pick (MEM)
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: F/C Pascal Siakam
Alternatively, we wouldn’t be talking about Memphis’ culture if they were winning enough games. This is a results-driven league. Just look at the Raptors. This team seems to have a strong culture.
The Raptors only acquire players that they believe in as people, and it shows. They still had an underwhelming 2022-23 season. Whether they’ve got a strong culture or not, they didn’t have a strong team. Now, they’re paying for it.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Memphis Grizzlies & Toronto Raptors Updates
Fred VanVleet is a Houston Rocket. Perhaps no Raptor embodied the team’s culture the way that VanVleet did. Now, the Raptors are without their longtime point guard. Could they move Siakam as a result?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
Ideally, the Raptors learned a lesson from VanVleet’s departure. This team has been clinging to it’s players for too long. Now, they’re losing VanVleet for nothing. The Raptors have made a habit of watching players walk recently. They can’t afford to do the same with Siakam.
It’s probably time to move him. With that said, the Raptors won’t dump his salary. They need to get a good return for their star player. This is a good return.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Memphis Grizzlies & Toronto Raptors Updates
Williams is a young player with some star potential. Clarke is a solid combo big. Still, the most important aspect of this deal is the four unprotected first-round picks the Raptors are receiving. Should the Grizzlies give them up?
Why The Memphis Grizzlies Do The Deal
The Grizzlies do this deal to get the best player in the trade. They’re a win-now team making a win-now move. If the Raptors insist on one of their young, core players, the Grizzlies might pass. In spite of the controversy surrounding him this season, Ja Morant is indispensable to this team. Even Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane might be untouchable.
With that said, this deal has Memphis acquiring Pascal without losing any of those players. They can’t pass on this opportunity. By landing Siakam, they’d be assembling one of the most talented teams in the NBA.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Memphis Grizzlies & Toronto Raptors Updates
Does this deal limit their future flexibility? Absolutely. It doesn’t matter, because it also puts the Grizzlies in a position to win an NBA championship. That sounds like a change worth making.
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