The 2023-24 NBA season has not been kind to the Memphis Grizzlies. They’ve played five games, and they’ve lost all of them. This is the only winless team in the NBA. Surely, the Grizzlies were hoping for more.
At the same time, they’ve been dealing with some difficult circumstances. Losing Ja Morant was difficult enough – he’s the most important player on this team.
When Steven Adams lost his season to an injury, it was official: the Grizzlies were snakebitten. Now, the results speak for themselves. Cheer up, Grizzlies fans. It’s not all bad.
Morant will be back. There’s a lot of talent on this team. It would be ideal if a star carried their offense in the meantime.
Could they make a move for Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves?
NBA Trade Proposal — Memphis Grizzlies Land Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G/F Luke Kennard, C Steven Adams, F/C Brandon Clarke, 2024 First-Round Pick (MEM), 2026 First-Round Pick (MEM), 2027 First-Round Pick (Swap – MEM)
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: F/C Karl-Anthony Towns
Of course, this is the very beginning of the NBA season. Things have a way of looking worse than they might be. For example, the Grizzlies have a .000 win percentage. That’s bleak. Is it a reason to panic?
Look at the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics. They were each 4-0 as the final remaining undefeated teams recently. Isn’t that just another way of saying that each team is on a four-game winning streak?
Would it be unthinkable for either of those contending teams to suffer a five-game skid throughout the year? We certainly need to give these teams more time before we reach conclusions about who they are and who they can be.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
On the other hand, the Grizzlies rely heavily on Morant’s playmaking. Adams: offensive rebounding and screen setting are important to their success as well. One may have expected the Grizzlies to have won a game by now, but it shouldn’t be a shock that they’re struggling.
Should they really add Towns at this juncture?
Why The Memphis Grizzlies Do The Deal
Realistically, the important question isn’t whether the Grizzlies need Towns now. What matters is whether Towns will make them a better team at full strength. The Grizzlies wouldn’t make this move to weather Morant’s absence. They’d make this move to compete for an NBA title when he returns.
We think that’s a sensible plan. Yes, Towns is a porous defender. That’s why the Timberwolves acquired Rudy Gobert. Arguably, that never made sense – Gobert is a stationary rim protector, so his presence forces Towns onto the perimeter.
A better player to cover for Towns’ limitations would be a do-it-all defensive eraser. In other words, he needs to be paired with a player like Jaren Jackson Jr.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Offensively, there’s no question of how lethal this team would be after acquiring Towns. His inside/outside dynamic with Ja Morant would be extremely difficult to guard. Should the Timberwolves help the Grizzlies put that duo together?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
The Wolves didn’t merely trade for Gobert. They sold the farm. Some felt that Minnesota temporarily broke the league’s trade market with the package that they sent out to acquire the former Defensive Player of the Year. The Timberwolves parted with four unprotected first-round picks in that deal.
This deal is largely about getting some of that capital back. Unfortunately for the Wolves, the market has adjusted since the Gobert deal.
With that in mind, two first-rounders and a swap is probably Towns’ market value. Given his defensive limitations, teams may not be willing to part with much more to land him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Yet, the Timberwolves also net some quality rotation players here. Clarke is a versatile combo big who can guard multiple positions, and Kennard is an elite floor spacer. If these pieces click, the Wolves could still be a competitive team – even without Towns. This season could still be kind to the Timberwolves.
