Crazy deal proposal: Grizzlies would acquire a high-motor All-NBA wing in exchange for Desmond Bane.

Crazy deal proposal: Grizzlies would acquire a high-motor All-NBA wing in exchange for Desmond Bane.

The Memphis Grizzlies have shown themselves to be among the best teams in the Western

Conference rankings, led by a healthy core of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane.

Prior to the injury epidemic that decimated all of the aforementioned players and, to be honest, the

entire team, Memphis had been on three consecutive postseason runs, had won the Southwest

Division twice, and had an outstanding regular season record of 145-91 since 2020–21.

Nevertheless, despite all of these achievements, Taylor Jenkins’ team has only advanced as far as Game 6 of the 2022 Western Conference Semifinals. Most recently, they were eliminated from the

postseason after finishing with an abhorrent 27-55 record.

It is possible to argue that the once-promising Grizzlies team has lagged behind in the competition to

be crowned kings of the west because of their gap year as well as the rise and ongoing development

of young teams that are strong contenders for the championship, like the Minnesota Timberwolves

and the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are currently ranked first and second, respectively.

A blockbuster trade for a player like Miami Heat center Jimmy Butler could help Grind City cement

their status as a “powerhouse,” even if it means losing Bane. While many in the city are emphasizing

patience, Grind City has the foundation and a track record of being an elite squad in the conference.

Butler, who The Ringer’s Howard Beck believes will ultimately be moved, was mentioned by Favale

as one of the “surprise landing spots” for seven of the league’s most rumored trade targets this

offseason. Favale feels Butler’s pairing with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. “would certainly make

a statement.””Desmond Bane-centered deals appear to be the most likely course of action. Although

Butler’s departure is painful, the Heat now have a new nucleus of players (Bane, Bam Adebayo, Tyler

Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Nikola Jović) around whom to build without having to worry about

Butler’s contract extension.