A trade that can make the Grizzlies title favorites
Would the Grizzlies be title favorites?
The starting lineup for the Memphis Grizzlies after this deal would be a downright nasty two-way group. They likely start with Steven Adams at center, Jaren Jackson Jr. and OG Anunoby at the forward spots, and Ja Morant and Desmond Bane in the backcourt. A slightly smaller lineup would pull Adams, shift JJJ to the 5 and put Brooks in at the 3.
Both of those lineups would project to be staggeringly good at both ends of the court. Anunoby is a 37.1 percent 3-point shooter for his career (36.6 percent this season) which is very serviceable given the shooting of Bane and Jackson Jr. The prospect of trying to score on Brooks and Anunoby, with Jackson Jr. and/or Adams at the rim, is a terrifying proposition.
Anunoby can become a free agent after next season, at which point his raise alongside Bane’s will push the Grizzlies well into the luxury tax. Even so, that’s something this ownership group will need to be comfortable with, as it’s expensive to field a true contender. In the meantime, the Grizzlies would be competing for a title right now.
dark. Next. 3 contenders that badly need a trade before the deadline
Would the Grizzlies be title favorites after this deal? Probably not, given the Boston Celtics’ depth and experience, but they would almost certainly be the favorites in the Western Conference and on track to send this franchise to its first NBA Finals in history. Given Anunoby’s age, this would form a core of four young players who could compete for titles for years and years. No trade is a sure thing, but this one certainly looks close.