It was a tumultuous 2022-23 NBA season for the Memphis Grizzlies. They’re still feeling the effects of it. Ja Morant will kick off 2023-24 from the sidelines – he’ll be serving a suspension. Meanwhile, Dillon Brooks has already set the record for quickest ejection from a preseason game – as a member of the Houston Rockets.
Yet, Memphis hasn’t only lost players. They added a key piece as well. For a team looking to reset their culture, Marcus Smart was a perfect acquisition. He’ll replace Brooks’ defensive intensity without the added theatrics. This was a smart move.
It wasn’t a perfect replacement for Brooks, either. In simple terms, the Grizzlies are still down a wing. Don’t be surprised if they look to replace Brooks at some point this year. Could they try to replace him with Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors?
The Trade Proposal
Golden State Warriors Receive: G/F Luke Kennard, F/C Brandon Clarke, 2025 First-Round Pick (MEM), 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap – MEM)
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: G/F Andrew Wiggins
Meanwhile, the Warriors had their own drama throughout 2022-23. This has not been characteristic of this organization. The Warriors have built a dynasty in recent years, and they’ve mostly been the picture of professionalism. Last summer, was saw an exception to that rule.
It was the punch heard around the world – or at least, around NBA circles. Draymond Green laid Jordan Poole out in practice. It found its way to the internet. The Warriors didn’t make any immediate moves, but by the end of the season, it was apparent that someone had to go. Now, Poole is a Washington Wizard.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
It’s interesting. Green through the punch, yet, Poole was moved. In the end, the Warriors felt that Green was too integral to their culture to let go. Evidently, the Grizzlies didn’t feel the same way about Brooks. Would adding Wiggins be the right move for their culture?
Why The Memphis Grizzlies Do The Deal
Sure. Wiggins is an NBA champion. He seems like a good locker-room presence. Wiggins is a former number-one overall pick – he was supposed to be a star. The fact that he reinvented himself as a high-end role player only speaks to Wiggins’ work ethic.
Of course, that’s the main reason that the Grizzlies would acquire him: Wiggins is a high-end role player. By now, he’s among the better 3-and-D wings in the NBA. Wiggins can create his own shot at times as well. This is the type of player that any contending team would benefit from adding.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Sure, the cost is steep. At the same time, the Grizzlies can spare Clarke with Steven Adams and Xavier Tillman on the roster, and Wiggins makes up some of Kennard’s spacing. If they’re willing to part with the draft capital, this deal makes sense for the Grizzlies. Does it work for the Warriors?
Why The Golden State Warriors Do The Deal
The Warriors have been a dynasty, but they aren’t built to last forever. No dynasty is. This team is getting unreasonably expensive, and they’re aging. At some point, the Warriors may have to start looking to the future.
Here, we’ve got them starting that process. The Warriors are breaking Wiggins’ deal down into two more manageable contracts. Meanwhile, they aren’t attached to scrubs. Clarke is the type of versatile big man who should give this team’s offense a boost, and Kennard is a useful shooting specialist.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Yet, the Warriors do this for the draft capital first. Whether they want to use it for a trade down the line, or to start drafting their core of the future, these are useful assets. If they’re lucky, they’ll help the Warriors have some easy summers in the future.
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