This three-team NBA trade idea sends Ausar Thompson from the Detroit Pistons to the Memphis Grizzlies.
A blockbuster three-team NBA trade idea sending Ausar Thompson from the Detroit Pistons to the Memphis Grizzlies has been created by Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report.
Buckley proposed the following trade between the Pistons, Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder:
Oklahoma City Thunder receive: No. 3 pick, Jaylen Wells, Isaiah Stewart, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 2030 first-round pick (via DET)
Detroit Pistons receive: Jalen Williams
Memphis Grizzlies receive: Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland II, No. 12 pick (via OKC), No. 21 pick (via DET), 2031 first-round pick swap (via DET)
The Grizzlies have the third overall pick in this year's draft. In his trade idea, Buckley has Memphis trading the third pick, Wells and KCP to the Thunder and getting Thompson, Holland II and multiple draft picks in return.
"This could be the hardest sell, but it's still feasible if Memphis has questions about Cam Boozer or Caleb Wilson and might covet additional dart throws instead," Buckley wrote. "Defensive versatility would be a worry with a Boozer-Zach Edey frontcourt, while a Wilson-Edey combo could be a logistical nightmare with its lack of spacing.
"So, maybe the Grizzlies instead wouldn't mind pivoting toward a package that provides two first-round picks (one in this lottery) and a future swap, plus a pair of dynamic, disruptive, defense-first youngsters in Thompson and Holland, both of whom could be from central casting for a Grit and Grind reboot."
Thompson is the headliner in this trade idea for the Grizzlies. The 23-year-old is one of the best defenders in the NBA. Once he develops a jumper, Thompson has All-Star potential.
For the Pistons this season, Thompson averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 52.5% from the field, 25.0% from beyond the arc and 57.1% from the free-throw line. He led the NBA in steals per game and made the All-Defensive First Team.
The Pistons can sign Thompson to a rookie-scale extension this offseason. Thompson would become a restricted free agent next offseason if a deal isn't reached.
Since Detroit had the best record in the East this season but lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round in seven games, the front office may tweak the roster this summer.
With that said, it will be fascinating to see if the Pistons make Thompson available in trade talks.
The odds of the Grizzlies parting ways with the third pick are very, very low, but after the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers out of nowhere, nothing can be ruled out in today's NBA.
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