No player is untouchable. It is a phrase popular among sports fans whenever trade discussions surface. As a follower of the NHL, Wayne Gretzky’s departure from the Edmonton Oilers always comes to mind. Anyone is technically up for grabs if the most iconic athlete in a sport can get dealt. In some instances, the answer is yes. However, in the case of the Memphis Grizzlies, there are a few untouchable assets on the current roster.
Amid an unexpectedly fruitful 2021-22 regular season, Memphis is still technically going through its rebuild. Hitting multiple home runs on draft picks, the Grizzlies have a firm idea who the new pillars of their franchise are. For a patient organization, one can claim with certainty that a few untouchable players exist on the payroll.
When identifying players the Grizzlies have no interest in parting ways with, there are multiple things to consider. First and foremost, there is the young star power already taking shape. Of course, those players are the obvious choices. Still, they likely are not the only ones considered untouchable by management. A few promising players with incredible potential belong there too.
Although some may find this exercise pointless due to potentially obvious conclusions, there are always opportunities for surprise. Let’s dive in.
The Untouchable Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant
It makes the most sense to get the most obvious member on this list out of the way first. Ja Morant is the face of the franchise and one of the NBA’s most promising young stars. In just year two of his professional basketball career, Morant already demands the attention of anyone tuning into the Grizzlies game and is a consistent candidate for highlight-reel plays.
Considering Morant an untouchable player is far from a ground-breaking take. Memphis struck gold, selecting him second overall in 2019, and plan to make him the leader of the Grizzlies for his entire career.
JA MORANT SAID WATCH YOUR HEAD ? ? pic.twitter.com/vTWIxaNGA0
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 6, 2022
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Like Morant, declaring Jaren Jackson Jr. untouchable is not a bold statement. If Morant is the cornerstone of Memphis’s backcourt, which he is, Jackson Jr. is the same for the frontcourt. He is already a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, a threat at both ends of the basketball court, and a significant reason the team gels so well together.
Though Morant and Jackson Jr. may not be at the level of NBA’s current stars, they certainly have the pedigree to be just that for many years to come. The Grizzlies will not trade away two potential top-20 players, even if they are blown away by a deal.
Desmond Bane
Not entirely on the same level as Morant and Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies view Desmond Bane as the second potential long-term piece in their backcourt. Demonstrating occasional All-Star shooting capabilities, Bane possesses the make-up of a legitimate scorer in the NBA.
On a slight cold streak over the past two games, a chance remains that Bane is not quite at the level he showed signs of throughout portions of the season. Even if he does level out as more of a “solid” contributor than “elite,” nothing currently disputes his potential as a fantastic partner for Morant in both the present and future of the team.
Desmond Bane +33333 pic.twitter.com/krod3mdMqZ
— Basketball 1-3-1 Zone (@basket131zone) February 1, 2022
Ziaire Williams
Trading up to select him 10th overall in 2021, the Grizzlies view Ziaire Williams as a special player. Though some questioned the pick, Williams is developing nicely this season, showing signs of what may lie ahead for the 20-year-old small forward. Regardless of him panning out or not, it is far too early for Memphis to consider dealing a young player they’ve invested in and believe can be a solid contributor.
Dillon Brooks
Another young piece to the Grizzlies core, Memphis should show little interest in trading away Dillon Brooks. Unfortunately, Brooks may not inhabit the “untouchable” list moving forward, depending on the organization’s moves to bring them to the next level. But for now, the Grizzlies are satisfied with his contributions, worrying that dealing him away this season may cause more harm than good.
Operating ahead of schedule, the Grizzlies are playing with house money. Unlikely to be active at the deadline, Memphis is content to see where this group can go without making a splash. Still, unavoidable trades present themselves. Regardless, the organization has a solid list of players they should deem as untouchable. At least for now.
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