After a nightmare of the 2023–24 season, the Memphis Grizzlies are back in a big way.
They are currently the second seed in the Western Conference, but they aren’t content with being second-best.
Because of that, they might make a trade before the approaching NBA deadline, but what would it look like?
Writing on X, Evan Sidery said if the Grizzlies choose to make an “aggressive move” on the trade market, Marcus Smart will “likely” be involved.
Sidery wrote:
“Smart’s $20.2 million salary allows Memphis to get in the conversation for any of the top available players.
Memphis has already been an active team in the marketplace.”
If the Grizzlies decide to make an aggressive move on the trade market, Marcus Smart will likely be involved.
Smart’s $20.2 million salary allows Memphis to get in the conversation for any of the top available players.
Memphis has already been an active team in the marketplace. pic.twitter.com/YOIAbSiKWI
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) December 19, 2024
Smart’s output with the Grizzlies has dropped this year, and he is currently averaging 9.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.
This is his second season with Memphis after years of playing for the Boston Celtics, where he was named Defensive Player of the Year in the 2021-22 season.
Despite being six-foot-three, Smart remains a tenacious defender and brings a lot of help off the bench.
But if the Grizzlies are willing to make trades, they do not have many options.
They are eager to hold onto the core of their team and especially their leading stars.
This allows them little wiggle room on the trade market, and Smart is one of the few assets they can move.
So, now the question is if Memphis will be aggressive or not.
With their 18-9 record, they are behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West.
Will a trade involving Smart help them overtake OKC, or could it mess with the good chemistry they have?
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