The 2022-23 NBA season is long in the rearview. Some teams have more reflecting to do than others. We saw teams have successful seasons – and disappointing ones. With that in mind, the Memphis Grizzlies have got a lot to think about.
Apparently, they’ve already done some thinking. The Grizzlies let Dillon Brooks join the Houston Rockets in free agency without much – if any – resistance. Then, they replaced his defensive intensity by acquiring Marcus Smart. This team knew it had to make some changes, and they’ve made them.
Are the Grizzlies done? It’s hard to say. This team does have a logjam of big men. Steven Adams, Xavier Tillman, and Brandon Clarke are all worthy of minutes. For that matter, Jaren Jackson Jr. needs some time at the 5. Given his age, Adams could be the odd man out. Could the Grizzlies send him to the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Trade Proposal
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: F/C Jarred Vanderbilt, F Taurean Prince, G/F Cam Reddish
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: C Steven Adams
Meanwhile, the Lakers are no strangers to needing change. They entered the 2022-23 season with a vastly different roster than they started it with. The Lakers saw a need to make changes, and they acted accordingly.
Specifically, they had to move on from Russell Westbrook. The former MVP was never a compliment to LeBron James. The rest of the world seemed to know this long before the Lakers caught up. With that said, give them credit for the adjustments that they made.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Steven Adams, Memphis Grizzlies & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers saw that they needed a floor spacer at the point. They got one. D’Angelo Russell isn’t a knockdown shooter, but he’s enough of a threat to compliment James. The Lakers made a Western Conference Finals run after acquiring him. Would adding Adams make them even more dangerous?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
We think so. Some might suggest that Adams isn’t an ideal fit alongside Anthony Davis. We’d accuse them of having short memories. The Lakers won the 2019-20 NBA title with similar but weaker big men alongside Davis.
After all, Adams is a highly impactful player. He’s among the best offensive rebounders in the NBA. Adams’ ability to generate extra possessions would be useful to any contending team. Offensively, he’ll thrive as a pick-and-roll finisher alongside James.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Steven Adams, Memphis Grizzlies & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Is he worth the price that the Lakers are paying here? We think so. Vanderbilt found himself out of this team’s playoff rotation last season. Reddish is a flyer, and Prince just isn’t as impactful as Adams. Should the Grizzlies accept this collection of players for Adams?
Why The Memphis Grizzlies Do The Deal
Absolutely. For the Grizzlies, this is about roster construction. Largely, they’re acquiring Prince as a replacement for Brooks. He’s not as good of a defender, but he’s still solid, and a more reliable floor spacer as well.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt is an intriguing addition as well. He may not be an optimal fit as a non-shooter. On the other hand, Tillman and Clarke both provide a semblance of floor spacing. Vanderbilt could play alongside either for stretches. His ability to guard across positions makes him a better fit with either than Adams.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Steven Adams, Memphis Grizzlies & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Finally, Reddish is…an NBA player? He’s been disappointing throughout his career thus far. Still, Memphis is taking a flier on a young player with some upside at the expense of a veteran at a position they can afford to lose. Of course, we won’t know if it was a good decision until 2023-24 is in the rearview.
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