As the Grizzlies build around Cameron Boozer, Ty Jerome, Jerami Grant, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper could all become trade candidates this season.
The Memphis Grizzlies are looking towards the future. This is a rebuilding NBA team.
That means roster movement could be on the horizon.
There's already been plenty of movement this summer. Ja Morant was the most notable departure, and Cameron Boozer was the most notable addition. With a new franchise player, the Grizzlies may look to maximize their youth movement by surrounding Boozer with players on his timeline.
In the process, these 3 Grizzlies could get traded this year.
3. Olivier-Maxence Prosper
You may be surprised to see Prosper on this list. At 24, he's not too old to continue growing with the Grizzlies.
That's true. That said, the team's wing rotation is looking increasingly crowded. If the Grizzlies want to prioritize Taylor Hendricks (22) and GG Jackson II (21), they may need to make wing room with Boozer in the fold.
Each of that trio has its own strengths and weaknesses. Prosper has been the most efficient shooter, but Jackson II is the most dynamic shot creator, and Hendricks is the best defender. Unless two of these guys emerge as the clearly superior player, Prosper's age could be the tiebreaker.
That said, there's a much older wing who's also complicating the Grizzlies' wing rotation.
2. Jerami Grant
Grant is the more obvious trade candidate, but he could also be the more complicated one. His contract has an Average Annual Value (AAV) of $35 million through the next two seasons.
He's in Memphis by way of the Ja Morant deal. The Grizzlies surely don't see Grant as a meaningful part of their future, but it's hard to imagine which team will look to add his contract to their books this season.
That said - who knows? The NBA is notoriously unpredictable. A contender could be looking to bolster their wing rotation throughout the season, even at a high cost. If so, the Grizzlies will have to capitalize on that opportunity.
1. Ty Jerome
Last year, Jerome was beginning to look like a fringe star. He averaged 19.7 points and 5.7 assists per game while hitting 42.0% of his 6.7 threes per game through 15 games.
Unfortunately, that was the extent of his season. Jerome got injured. That could mute his trade value throughout the season, but if he's healthy through the trade deadline, he should have some appeal to contenders.
After all, he'll be the Grizzlies' presumptive starting point guard for the year. Jerome will have every opportunity to audition his skills for contenders until the deadline approaches.
At 29, he's probably not part of the Grizzlies' future.
