The Memphis Grizzlies could use their $28.8 million trade exception to absorb contracts and add draft capital. Here are three possible targets.
The Memphis Grizzlies created a massive $28.8 million trade exception (TPE) when they sent forward Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz. They should use it to absorb a bad contract — and pick up some assets in the process.
Granted, that's not the only way they could use it. The Grizzlies could opt to accelerate their rebuilding by adding a quality player. Although if that was the plan, they probably should have kept Jackson Jr.
This team is thinking long-term. The Grizzlies know it will be a few years before Cameron Boozer is ready to lead a deep playoff run. So, they should be looking to turn that salary slot into draft capital:
Here are three contracts they could use to accomplish that goal.
Draymond Green Could Give Grizzlies A Short-Term Option
Green will make $27.7 million to play for the Golden State Warriors next season. After that, his deal expires. So, the Warriors may not pay a premium in assets to move off a deal they can shed for free after one season.
That said, they could be looking for productive players. If Ty Jerome is healthy leading up to the deadline, the Warriors could be open to sending Green and a heavily protected first for his services. Memphis already has reason to consider trading Jerome before his potential 2027 free agency.
Or, that might be a long shot. It's hard to imagine the Warriors moving Green after so many years of service unless they're making a major change. It's something Memphis could explore, but perhaps they need to look in a different direction to move this TPE.
Patrick Williams Could Bring Grizzlies Draft Capital
That's more like it.
Williams is on the hook for $18 million through 2027-28. He has a Player Option (PO) worth another $18 million ahead of 2028-29:
Spoiler alert: he's likely to accept it.
It's likely the biggest payday he'll receive for the rest of his NBA career. Williams has fallen short of expectations since he was picked fourth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. He's a serviceable three-and-D wing, but he doesn't have elite enough three-point gravity or defense to justify a high lottery selection.
That shouldn't matter to the Grizzlies. Williams' deal won't hamstring them long-term, and they may not be ready to build a contender until it's an expiring contract. If the Bulls would send some draft capital to get off his deal, the Grizzlies should take that deal:
Although if they'd take on worse money, they may be able to get more in return.
Jakob Poeltl Could Be Grizzlies' Best TPE Target
At this point, Poeltl is the white whale of bad NBA contracts.
He's making $19.5 million in 2026-27, so he fits comfortably inside the Grizzlies' TPE. His salary jumps to $27.3 million in 2027-28 and $29.5 million in 2028-29 before dropping back to $27.3 million in 2029-30.
Poeltl is a solid, starting-caliber role player when he's healthy, but that's a lot of money for a non-star center:
And availability has become an issue.
If the Raptors want an opportunity to move on from his contract, the Grizzlies should be interested. Toronto may have to attach draft capital to get a deal done. If the return included a valuable first-round pick, Memphis shouldn't think twice about absorbing his deal:
The Grizzlies have already stockpiled future first-round picks during their rebuild. Taking on another contract to add to that collection would make sense.
It'd be the best possible use of their TPE.
