Trade Targets For The Memphis Grizzlies After Steven Adams Injury

Trade Targets For The Memphis Grizzlies After Steven Adams Injury

Sad news for Memphis Grizzlies fans everywhere. Steven Adams will miss the entire 2023-24 season after undergoing season-ending knee surgery. Adams had a huge trickle-down effect that I went into a little bit over on YouTube. With Adams gone, there is a legitimate argument that Memphis should be in the market for a big. Xavier Tillman is good, but size is desperately needed. Let’s take a look at a few targets the Grizzlies should be taking a look at.

Isaiah Hartenstein

Hartenstein is a cheap yet effective choice to replace Steven Adams. Coming in at just $9 million and on the last year of his deal, the Knicks might be willing to part ways with Hartenstein. Hartenstein is also effective in the way of setting screens, something that Adams is one of the best in the league. If Memphis wants to recreate even just a little bit of what Adams brings, then Hartenstein should be high on the list of targets.

The Grizzlies can’t replace Steven Adams’ rebounding and screening impact like-for-like (top right).

But Isaiah Hartenstein makes the most sense as a short-term target… better health and playmaking than Timelord. He’s also under-utilized by the Knicks.

Make it happen… pic.twitter.com/AQK8ZbXbD4

— Steven Adams Stats (@funakistats) October 22, 2023

Robert Williams

Timelord also fits in the previously shown graphic. However, the biggest question would be his health. Timelord has missed a lot of time due to injuries. Even part-time Celtics fan and basketball watcher Trey Daubert, who considers Williams an elite center, was ginger with the time Williams would play in the playoffs last year.

Williams is also yet to play more than 61 games in a season. Basically, save Timelord until needed and play heavy minutes like Boston made during their championship push. If he can be healthy when needed, he would be a valuable piece for any championship run.

2023-24 NBA Season Preview: Memphis Grizzlies

Clint Capela

One of the more expensive options on this list at around $20 million, Capela brings stability in terms of rebounding. Capela’s size and length would make a great defensive compliment next to Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. I’m not sure how this deal would get done or if Atlanta would be willing to part with Capela for any assets Memphis has.

Ivica Zubac

A really far out there target, but would be an excellent get to replace Steven Adams. The Clippers don’t have a first-round pick until 2027, so offering picks and maybe a Brandon Clarke, a name that would be at the center of most of these trades, could sway Los Angeles. It also picked up Mason Plumlee, who could hurt Zubac’s production with the Clippers.

Marcus Smart Cried When The Celtics Traded Him

Jakob Poeltl

The Grizzlies tried to do business with the Raptors before when trying to land OG Anunoby, but things got a little complicated. It was rumored that the Grizzlies offered three first-round picks (!) for Anunoby and that still did not move the needle for Toronto.

Everyone knows Toronto is not going to compete this season. Masai Ujiri sounds like a hard guy to deal with, but maybe he will come to his senses and start moving on from some of his players and cashing in their value while he can.

As for Poeltl, he is again someone that I think would do well in this role and bring a little scoring to the table as well. The offense isn’t necessarily needed, but just adds another dynamic to this offense. Poeltl checks all the other boxes when it comes to screening and rebounding.

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