Recently, the Memphis Grizzlies suffered a significant blow. Steven Adams is expected to miss the entire 2023-24 NBA season with an injury. Adams was projected to be this team’s starting center.
The Grizzlies have a full slate of problems. Ja Morant will begin the season by serving a suspension. Brandon Clarke will be working his way back from an injury of his own. So, this news stings. The Grizzlies can only hope that Xavier Tillman is ready for a breakout season.
Unless, of course, they replace Adams. The Grizzlies have got enough assets to make a trade. If they wanted to, they could land a starting caliber big man to fill in for Adams.
Here are three targets we think they ought to consider.
Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks
This seems like an obvious starting point. Steven Adams is a player with a low usage role. Offensively, he finishes pick and rolls. On the defensive end, he protects the rim. So, the Grizzlies ought to replace him with a player used to handling the same responsibilities.
Why not trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Clint Capela? He’s a more efficient pick-and-roll finisher and a better rim protector. Granted, he’s not a perfect replacement. Adams is one of the league’s most prolific offensive rebounders, and Capela isn’t as strong in that area.
On the other hand, that may owe to scheme more than it owes to ability. The Grizzlies could potentially put Capela in a position to snatch more offensive boards than he has throughout his career.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Clint Capela feels like a perfect fit. On the other hand, perhaps the Grizzlies would prefer to land a player who can give them a slightly different dynamic. In that event, could they turn elsewhere to make a deal?
Mason Plumlee, Los Angeles Clippers
Mason Plumlee can serve a lot of the same purposes as Steven Adams and Capela. He may not be quite as stout of a rim protector as either, but he holds his own on that end of the floor.
That said, Plumlee does something neither Clint Capela nor Adams does especially well. Plumlee is an excellent passer. He’s one of the best passing big men in the NBA. That skill could give the Grizzlies a new layer of offense. It could be especially useful given Morant’s absence.
As this season gets underway, Memphis will need playmaking wherever they can find it. On the other hand, the same holds for the Los Angeles Clippers. They may not be eager to move Plumlee.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mason Plumlee, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
The Clippers are contenders, and he’s one of their two rotation bigs. Could the Grizzlies target another quality passing big?
Isaiah Hartenstein, New York Knicks
Yes, the New York Knicks are also contenders. It’s true that they also only have two rotational big men. On the other hand, their starter feels more entrenched. Mitchell Robinson has become one of the best defensive big men in the NBA. As a result, Isaiah Hartenstein is stuck on the bench.
He’d be a starter in Memphis. Hartenstein is the most unique big man out of this group. He can space the floor to an extent, and like Plumlee, he’s an excellent passer. Hartenstein would be a good target for this team, and there’s a chance that he’s available.
Of course, there’s also a chance that he isn’t. That’s fine. If there’s a silver lining for the Grizzlies in all of this, it’s that big men are among the most abundant resources in the NBA.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Isaiah Hartenstein, New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
If the Grizzlies want to replace Adams, they should be able to find a way. That doesn’t change the fact that losing him is a major blow to this organization.
