No NBA team likes to call off their season early. At this stage in the season, no team should be considering that course of action. It’s early, and teams have ample time to turn it around. With that said, keep an eye on the Memphis Grizzlies.
So far, they’re 0-4. It’s been a rough beginning for the Grizzlies. They knew they’d be without Ja Morant to begin the year. Still, the loss of Steven Adams was a significant blow. Without their star player and a key role player, the Grizzlies are struggling. What if that trend continues?
Well, the Grizzlies could turn their attention to the 2024-25 season. Sometimes, a year is simply not going your way. If this season looks like one of those years for Memphis, they could be sellers as the deadline approaches.
In that event, could they send Marcus Smart to the Miami Heat?
NBA Trade Proposal — Miami Heat Land Marcus Smart
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson, 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G Marcus Smart
On the other hand, phoning in a season is easier to stomach for some teams than it is for others. It depends on your team’s roster construction.
A veteran team with title aspirations may fight to salvage their season. After all, they don’t know how much time they’ve got left to contend. With that said, it’s been a difficult start to the year for the Heat as well. They’ve won a game, but they’ve lost three.
This is not the start that the Heat were hoping for. This team is fresh off of an NBA Finals appearance. Meanwhile, nobody knows how much longer Jimmy Buttler can extend his prime.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat Updates
By contrast, the Grizzlies have a longer window. Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane are all young. This team can spare one year, even if it’s painful. Does that mean that they should move Smart?
Why The Memphis Grizzlies Do The Deal
The Grizzlies are in a bind. In theory, they could make a move to replace Adams. In practice, Xavier Tillman is thriving in his new role. More broadly, acquiring a veteran replacement for Adams won’t help them win many more games as long as Morant is unavailable.
So, perhaps Memphis should take this time to see what they’ve got in Tillman. Do they need an upgrade at the 5, or are they missing a defensive wing? Either way, the Grizzlies would have to make a trade. This is the trade before the trade.
The Grizzlies could use this first-round pick to upgrade their roster next summer. Parting with Smart before he even plays a full season for them could be a difficult pill to swallow.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat Updates
Still, with Morant and Bane on the roster, the Grizzlies could prefer to acquire an asset and flip it for a player at a position of need down the road. Should the Heat give up that asset?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
You’ve heard of Heat culture. This organization prides itself on working hard and playing in the same fashion. With that in mind, Smart should be a perfect fit. He’s one of the best defensive guards in the NBA.
Meanwhile, Miami could use a boost in the backcourt. They were linked to Damian Lillard all summer. They didn’t land him. Smart isn’t exactly a replica, but he should suffice for Miami.
With Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo on the roster, they don’t necessarily need an elite playmaker at the point guard spot. They shouldn’t mind parting with a first-round pick to land Smart as well.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat Updates
The Heat should be viewing themselves as serious title contenders. They can’t afford to give up on this season at any point.
