The Memphis Grizzlies are shoring up for another title run this season. Ja Morant and Co. have fallen short over the past couple of seasons, and they’re hoping that 2023-24 is their year. The fact that they went all-in on Marcus Smart this summer is a clear testament to this fact. However, it wouldn’t hurt for Memphis if they added more firepower to their Morant-led offense.
Grizzlies Add Tested Veteran Ahead of Another Playoff Run
There’s no question that Smart’s arrival lifts the Grizzlies’ defense to a whole nother level. Their offense, on the other hand, could use an upgrade.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report solves this dilemma by proposing a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Pistons:
Memphis Grizzlies receive: Bojan Bogdanović
Detroit Pistons receive: Brandon Clarke, Ziaire Williams and 2026 first-round pick (top-five protected)
Last season, Bogdanovic averaged a career-high 21.6 points on a very efficient 48.8 percent shooting. This will go a long way in terms of supporting Morant on the offensive end, especially with Bogdanovic being a real threat from beyond the arc. In 2022-23, the 6-foot-7 swingman knocked down 2.5 triples per game on a 41.1-percent clip, making him an excellent floor-stretcher for Memphis.
“His addition would substantially improve the Grizzlies’ offensive menu, particularly in the half-court. The threat of his three-ball alone would give this group some badly needed spacing. Memphis has finished each of the past two seasons ranked 22nd in half-court efficiency, per Cleaning the Glass. What’s worse is that’s actually the team’s highest ranking since 2014-15,” Buckley wrote.
Pistons Add More Future Assets for Young Core
Bogdanovic has been linked to a move away from Detroit for what feels like an eternity now, and this deal could be what the Pistons have been waiting for. Cade Cunningham is still their cornerstone star for the future and they will want to surround him with as many young talents as they can. Brandon Clarke (26) and Ziaire Williams (21) fall within the Cunningham-led timeline, and obviously, so does the 2026 first-round pick they will get in this deal.
The Pistons are not going to be very competitive this coming season, but this move is yet another future-facing transaction that will get them there soon enough.
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