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NBA Trade Rumors: Five Teams That Should Trade For Monta Ellis

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11) gets by Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) for a basket in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Pacers won 111-102. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11) gets by Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) for a basket in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Pacers won 111-102. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mario Chalmers (6) during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis beat Indiana 96-84. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mario Chalmers (6) during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis beat Indiana 96-84. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are off to a hot start to the 2016-17 NBA regular season, but it’s fair to question how sustainable it is. Mike Conley will miss at least one month with fractures in his back and could be limited upon return for weeks after that.

Even with a healthy Conley, it’s hard to ignore how desperately the Grizzlies need a sixth man who can come in and relentlessly attack the rack.

A healthy Grizzlies squad has a reasonable number of shooters on the roster, but no one other than Conley can consistently drive. Even Conley is somewhat limited in that regard, however, and his back injury may complicate matters even further.

Having Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph in the post certainly helps, but having a perimeter player who can finish at the rim would be a game-changer.

Monta Ellis is an unpredictable commodity for a contender, but he could be the missing piece in Memphis. He’d be the perfect sixth man for a team that needs a player who can take the floor and galvanize the offense.

Memphis may not be willing to invest two or three seasons in Ellis, but it has a closing window with aging stars, amounting injuries, and a No. 26 ranking in offensive efficiency.

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