Memphis Grizzlies: 3 trade possibilities for Marc Gasol

1. Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have had their fair share of drama this year, amid team disputes, sloppy play, anything involving John Wall and other instances. Right now, they have three players, Otto Porter Jr., Bradley Beal and John Wall locked in to long-term, huge money contracts. Wall’s contract is the biggest as he will start earning $38.1 million next season.

While the Grizzlies are highly unlikely to take on one of those huge contracts, they could take on the Wizards other contract albatross: Ian Mahinmi. Mahinmi has played in just 27 games so far this season after dealing with knee issues, and is earning a cool $16 million for his 4.1 points per game. He’ll also earn $16 million the following year.

To do that though, they’re going to want an unprotected first-rounder. Despite Thomas Bryant‘s occasional high level of play, they could use a big man who is a capable passer and screener. Even though Marcin Gortat‘s relationship with John Wall soured over the years, they did have a dynamic pick-and-roll game.

Memphis would receive a bit of cap relief and could use Tomas Satoransky‘s playmaking ability to back up Conley (if he stays) since Shelvin Mack‘s season has driven itself off a cliff. Satoransky would come cheap when he hits free agency, or the Grizzlies could just let him go.

If basketball players had team passports, Jeff Green would have so many stamps he’d have to get more pages. He’s salary filler here.

If the Wizards play hardball with the pick, Memphis could pursue a trade that looks like this:

This is assuming the Wizards put some kind of protection on the pick, like lottery-protected this year, top-10 protected the following year or some kind of weird combination like that. There’s no telling what Ernie Grunfield will do. He was the guy to give an aging point guard who can’t shoot, relies on athleticism and has bad knees the richest contract in NBA history.

If that happens, expect for the Grizzlies to ask for something more. Troy Brown Jr. is in his rookie season and has played very sparingly this year, appearing in just 24 games so far. But, he’s a young prospect on a rookie deal that has the size for a 3-and-D player.

The Grizzlies are going to be asking for a lot with these trade talks and it will be very interesting to see how far they will bend, or not, as we approach the Feb. 7 trade deadline.