2019 NBA Trade Deadline: 5 teams that should trade for Markelle Fultz
2. Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies have made Mike Conley and Marc Gasol available, according to ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, so the time for blowing up what’s left of the Grit-N-Grind era has come. A rebuild through the draft is what comes next, as the franchise looks to supplement Jaren Jackson Jr. and Dillon Brooks with more young talent.
The Sixers already have a point forward in Ben Simmons, but Conley doesn’t have to be a ball-dominant floor general to be effective. He’s a career 37.5 percent shooter from 3-point range, would function perfectly fine as a secondary playmaker and would make a good defense even better.
As for the Grizzlies’ compensation? It’d probably require a young cornerstone in Fultz, another young talent in rookie Zhaire Smith, expiring contracts in Wilson Chandler and Justin Patton and a future first round pick. With so many players on the way out, Memphis would send back Omri Casspi to help bolster Philly’s depth.
Casspi, a career 36.8 percent 3-point shooter, would bring floor-spacing to Philly’s bench. Though the Sixers would lose Chandler on the wing, they’d see a serious upgrade in overall talent and basketball I.Q. with Conley, all without losing any other piece of their current rotation.
Conley is under contract for two more years, giving the 76ers a nice core to play with over the next few seasons.
However, even though Fultz and Smith both possess immense upside, their injury concerns are both very real. This kind of package might not provide enough stability or reliable talent to appease Memphis’ desired return in a Conley deal, even with a first-rounder included.