Potential Memphis Grizzlies Trade Chips

Technically still amid a rebuild, the Memphis Grizzlies find themselves in a unique and fortunate circumstance. Consistently winning with their young core, the team sits comfortably in third place in the Western Conference, with an opportunity for a lengthy postseason run. Seemingly a year ahead of schedule, many people question whether Memphis should take an active approach to the trade deadline.

Although generally linked to significant deals, the term “active” can take various forms regarding the trade deadline. For the Grizzlies, the wisest approach involves keeping the current core intact and remaining primarily quiet.

That does not necessarily translate into the organization partaking in no trades whatsoever. There is always room for slight tinkering, especially when moving expiring contracts and players who fail to fit the current mold. When it comes to possible trade chips, a few Grizzlies stand out.

Memphis Grizzlies: Potential Trade Chips

Jarrett Culver

The most likely player dealt before the deadline, Jarrett Culver, does not fit into Memphis’s future plans. A good problem to have, the Grizzlies already possess a strong nucleus of young players, leaving no room for Culver to develop and carve out a role.

Just 22-years-old, the 2019 sixth-overall draft looked promising in his limited time on the floor. Playing in 23 games this season, Culver is averaging four points, 1.6 rebounds, and one assist while shooting 41.9 percent from the field. No, the numbers do not jump off the page. However, his age a draft pedigree provide some intrigue for teams rebuilding and looking to get younger.

On an expiring contract, Memphis unlikely wants to bring Culver back next season. Even if they did, other teams are better situated to provide him with more money and years. The Grizzlies might as well search for a return instead of walking away empty-handed this summer.

Kyle Anderson

Like Culver, Kyle Anderson’s current contract expires at the end of the season. Unlike the rarely utilized guard, Anderson plays a role in the Grizzlies every game rotation. In 41 of Memphis’s 54 games, the 28-year-old forward averages 7.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists primarily coming off the bench. He possesses value for the team on the court and is one of the few veteran presences inhabiting the roster.

Although the expiring contract automatically makes Anderson a trade candidate, Memphis likely is not too eager to send him elsewhere. The only way the Grizzlies do so is if an opportunity arises to secure an asset whose contract lasts past this season at a friendly price. A team potentially running short on cash soon, Memphis will welcome any cap flexibility when they can.

The most probable scenario is Anderson remaining with the Grizzlies for this season and then walking away in the summer. However, a chance that Memphis re-signs him to a team-friendly contract. Though not necessarily playing at the pace of Memphis’s young guns, the organization appears to value what Anderson brings onto the court each game.

JERSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYY GET BUSY. @KyleAnderson5 // #GrzNxtGen pic.twitter.com/syJXebuUH8

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 3, 2022

Tyus Jones

Merely due to his pending contract status, Tyus Jones makes the list of potential Grizzlies trade chips. Under the assumption that Memphis intends to ride this core group through the rest of the season and playoffs, the organization is likely comfortable holding onto Jones as a backup point guard.

Averaging over 20 minutes a game, Jones is recording eight points and 4.1 assists per contest. Memphis views him as an essential piece to the current puzzle and has no problem allowing him to seek more money elsewhere during the offseason. Of course, an opportunity to bring a player of similar value aboard, whose under contract past this season, may make the Grizzlies change their mind. However, it seems unlikely at this point.

As of right now, the only way Memphis deals Jones is if it is a part of a significant deal bringing in a substantial piece. Considering the unlikelihood of that happening, Tyus Jones will remain a member of the Grizzlies for the duration of the 2021-22 campaign.

De’Anthony Melton

The only player on this list whose contract lasts past this season, De’Anthony Melton, is a name that always finds its way into trade scenarios. Under contract until 2024, the Grizzlies can remain patient when deciding what to do with the 23-year-old guard. That said, Melton appears like an odd man out when considering the franchise’s long-term future. Possessing some value on the trade market, a world exists where the Grizzlies use Melton as a chip to acquire a significant piece to boost the roster and take a run at a championship. Still, the more likely scenario involves the former USC Trojan heading elsewhere in a pre-draft trade instead of a deadline deal.

Wish I had time to break this down a bit more, but really like how De’Anthony Melton took advantage of bad PNR coverage here for the 3. RJ sticks with Ja, and Burks helps as RJ is screened by Adams — the over-help leads to the open, in-rhythm 3 pic.twitter.com/PpLayZVQRn

— Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA) February 3, 2022

Draft Picks

For a team already flush with young talent, the Grizzlies possess a ton of draft capital. With likely three first-round picks this summer, Memphis is in a fantastic situation to add these in any deal that can improve the roster. However, similar to Melton, the offseason seems the more probable time to use the picks as trade chips.

For the most part, expect Memphis’ roster after the trade deadline to look similar to how it looks now. Still, a chance the team makes smaller moves remains. If that’s the case, consider the assets mentioned above as likely candidates to go the other way in a deal.

For more NBA content, please follow me on Twitter. Also please follow Belly Up Sports for all the latest sports news.