Grizzlies Could Use Clever Trade Strategy to Add Another Young Core Piece

The Memphis Grizzlies could target upcoming restricted free agents (RFAs) on the trade market at this year’s deadline. That could be a very wise decision.

It’s a clever way to exploit how RFAs work. If Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman knows that he wants a particular young player, acquiring him ahead of RFA is not much different than acquiring him on a long-term deal. He can match any offer the player gets on the market, and he can likely anticipate what those offers will look like.

Kleiman already knows how the other side of that process works. This summer, Memphis signed Quinten Post to a three-year, $30 million offer sheet, and the Golden State Warriors declined to match it.

But are there any viable targets?

One target stands out over the rest: The Orlando Magic’s Anthony Black.

Coming into the league, Black was billed as a wing-sized point guard who’d struggle with his shot. So far, those struggles haven’t been too severe. Black is shooting an incredible 45.5% from deep in 2026-27.

He’s unlikely to maintain that standard, but he is shooting 34.2% for his career. That’s solid in light of everything else Black brings to the table. He’s a 6-foot-7 point guard who can guard multiple positions and is a sensational passer. He’s averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in five games this season. The Grizzlies assist on 63.5% of their made field goals, which ranks 22nd in the NBA, so they could use a dynamic passer like Black.

Sticking with the backcourt theme, Black’s draft classmate Scoot Henderson would be the other viable candidate. Henderson’s situation is far different from Black’s. As the third overall pick in the infamously stacked 2023 NBA Draft, Henderson came into the NBA with sky-high expectations. He was supposed to be the Portland Trail Blazers’ franchise player.

Well, it hasn’t gone that way. The Blazers acquired Ja Morant this summer, and Henderson has been moved squarely to the bench. He’s averaging 8.7 points and 1.4 assists while shooting 20.0% from deep in 22.0 minutes per game this year. That is not franchise player stuff. Portland and Henderson also let the Oct. 19 deadline pass without a rookie-scale extension.

So, he should come cheap. Scouts knew Henderson would struggle from deep, but he was supposed to be such a prolific drive-and-kick guard that he’d compensate. It hasn’t gone that way, but if the Grizzlies think Henderson has untapped potential, they could take a flyer.

Lastly, Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins has been intriguing when he’s gotten opportunities. He’s averaging a modest 9.9 points this year, but he’s a reliable shooter who can dribble and pass. His stats have been impressive when Cade Cunningham has been injured. In eight starts last season, he averaged 14.8 points and 7.0 assists. Memphis could feel that he can sustain that level of play given the chance.

Are there any other RFAs worth a look?

Nobody else jumps off the page.

Memphis could make a run at the Dallas Mavericks’ Dereck Lively II if they’re worried about Edey’s health, but Lively II is similarly injury-prone.

Otherwise, this is a list of players who either aren’t a good fit, don’t move the needle, or won’t be available. There are other guys who Memphis could grab at a low cost, but they aren’t worth writing about at this time.

Black would be an intriguing addition. Jenkins would be an interesting choice. Henderson feels like a stretch, but if the price is low enough, sure. Otherwise, the 6-3 Grizzlies don’t need to be desperate to make roster moves:

They only need to capitalize on the right opportunities.