After finishing 27-55 this past season, the casual observer may have thought that a rebuilding phase was coming for the Memphis Grizzlies. However, the team is rumored to be approaching the upcoming NBA Draft like a contender.
Memphis is reportedly looking to trade out of the No. 9 spot in the draft with star guard Ja Morant returning from a shoulder injury, via ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
“The Grizzlies are expected to explore the potential return for the No. 9 pick, sources said,” Lowe said. “Again, that does not mean they will end up trading that pick or trading out of the lottery. They will look at everything, sources said. But if their core returns healthy next season, they are set to compete again near the top of the West after something of a gap year. Seeing what kind of veteran help a trade might fetch makes sense.”
To pull off a trade, Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman will have to consider all offers and possibilities. Getting maximum value out of the pick is essential, as this could help extend the team’s championship window.
The Grizzlies got unlucky to only draw the ninth pick, after finishing with the seventh-worst record in the league. Kleiman and company may have been more inclined to keep the pick if they were in a higher spot and if this draft class were deeper. However, it may not be worth staying at a lower spot without a top-shelf prospect available, via The Daily Memphian’s Drew Hill.