Ideal Memphis Grizzlies NBA Draft 2024 Trade Options to Move Up the Ranks

On June 11, 2024By Rgal Nv

Staying in the NBA Draft isn’t something the Memphis Grizzlies are accustomed to, and this doesn’t seem like the season to do it either.

The Grizzlies want to add a big man, whether via the draft, free agency or a trade. The NBA Draft (June 26, 7 p.m., ESPN/ABC) is certainly the most plausible, given that Memphis can sign what could be a franchise-altering player at a controllable cost.

History says it could happen. Memphis traded its first-round pick last season for Marcus Smart and traded for Jake LaRavia two seasons ago with the 19th overall pick. The Grizzlies also acquired the draft rights to Ziaire Williams as the No. 10 pick in 2021 after initially holding the 17th selection.

If the Grizzlies are to trade up in the 2024 draft, it will almost certainly be to acquire a big man. Only Alexander Sarr and Donovan Clingan should be left off the board by the Grizzlies’ No. 9 selection. Sarr is a top-three pick on most mock drafts, while Clingan could seemingly go anywhere in the top 10.

Here are three ideal trade scenarios for Memphis to move up in the draft.

Ideal Memphis Grizzlies NBA Draft 2024 Trade Options to Move Up the Ranks

Houston Rockets, pick #3

It’s the most unlikely option, but it also ensures that Memphis seizes its future. The Houston Rockets, who are in third place overall, are an ideal team to make a trade. Houston has one of the best young cores in the NBA and a nice core of veterans ready to win now. The third pick doesn’t move them forward as much as acquiring a veteran ready to play now. Memphis may not be willing to trade the kind of player Houston wants, but the Grizzlies could get involved in a potential three-team trade that would land them the third overall selection. The Pelicans need shooters, and the duo of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson continues to look imperfect. Memphis helps two division rivals while strengthening its own roster in this scenario.

Commercial proposition :

Pelicans: HOU Dillon Brooks, MEM Luke Kennard, pick No. 9

Rockets: NOLA Brandon Ingram

Grizzlies: Pick No. 3, Jose Alvarado, Jae’Sean Tate

GRIZZBEAR PROJECT:NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Memphis Grizzlies fit the need, but he might not be the player you’re thinking of

Charlotte Hornets, pick #6

Once you get past the top two teams in the draft, every team ahead of the Grizzlies already seems to have a starting center in place. However, the best player available strategy could still lead to Clingan being removed from the board. The Hornets, who pick sixth overall, have recent first-round pick Mark Williams as their center of the future. Given that there should be very little drop-off between sixth and ninth place, Charlotte might be willing to go back and add more assets.