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.
