Memphis Grizzlies: 5 roster moves they must make this offseason

(Photo by Brandon Dill/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brandon Dill/Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

1. Trade Gorgui Dieng

Acquired as part of the Iguodala trade, Gorgui Dieng played just 17 games for the Grizzlies. While he has never been an offensive force, Dieng has always helped his teams out in other ways, mostly on the defensive end.

He has added a 3-point shot to his game over the past two seasons. Since the start of the 2018-19 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dieng was 100-of-272 from deep, a respectable 36.8 percent.

In the 17 games he has played with the Grizzlies, Dieng is 8-of-32 which is 25.0 percent. Part of this can be explained by him being new to the system. The other part is that it is hard to see Dieng having a huge role with this team, given he averaged 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per game.

Valanciunas and Jackson are the starting frontcourt. Jackson is able to play both center and power forward. Brandon Clarke and Kyle Anderson are both solid power forwards, meaning there will be limited minutes for Dieng.

This means that Dieng, who is the highest-paid player on the Grizzlies roster next year at $17  million, will largely be a bench warmer. Due to the Dion Waiters contract stretch of $12 million next season, the Grizzlies with no wiggle room to sign players who will improve the team.