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Memphis Grizzlies: 25 Best To Play For The Grizzlies

By Phil Watson

Apr 22, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; General view of towels on the seats prior to the San Antonio Spurs at the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; General view of towels on the seats prior to the San Antonio Spurs at the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Basketball: Memphis Grizzlies Lorenzen Wright (42) in action, dunk vs New Jersey Nets. East Rutherford, NJ 3/29/2006 CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X75613 TK1 R6 F0 )
Basketball: Memphis Grizzlies Lorenzen Wright (42) in action, dunk vs New Jersey Nets. East Rutherford, NJ 3/29/2006 CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X75613 TK1 R6 F0 ) /

211. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Trade, Atlanta Hawks, June 27, 2001.. C. 2001-06. Lorenzen Wright. 16. player

The team hadn’t even officially relocated yet, but the Memphis Grizzlies landed a local product in a draft night trade in June 2001, acquiring Lorenzen Wright, Brevin Knight and the rights to third overall pick Pau Gasol from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Shareef Abdur-Rahim and the rights to Jamaal Tinsley, the No. 27 overall pick.

Gasol was the big prize in the trade, but Wright–a Memphis native–was a part-time starter at center for the next five seasons.

MEM_16_WRIGHT
MEM_16_WRIGHT /

He battled injuries and some off-court tragedy, missing half of the 2001-02 season with a balky back and sitting out three weeks late in the 2002-03 season

after the death

of his 11-month-old daughter.

But when he was healthy he was a solid, if not overly effective offensive, big man.

In August 2006, Wright returned to the Hawks as a free agent.

In five seasons in Memphis, he averaged 9.4 points and 7.1 rebounds in 26.4 minutes per game, shooting .458/0-for-17/.644.

After averaging a double-double–17.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game–as a sophomore at the University of Memphis, Wright declared for the draft and was selected seventh overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1996 NBA Draft.

In August 1999, Wright was traded to Atlanta in exchange for first-round picks in 2000 and 2002.

In February 2008, the Hawks traded Wright to the Sacramento Kings. A free agent that summer, he inked a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers in September 2008.

Unsigned as a free agent, he did not play the 2009-10 season.

Wright’s story remains unfinished. The NBA veteran was found dead at age 34 in Memphis on July 19, 2010, the victim of a shooting. The case remains unsolved.

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