The Memphis Grizzlies are the NBA’s hottest team.
They are winners of 10 straight games, the opponents of which include the Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors.
The Grizzlies have wins over the Warriors (x2), Suns, Jazz, Nets, Heat, Sixers, Cavs (x2), Nuggets (x2), Mavs, Raptors and Lakers (x3)
17 wins over the top 15 teams in the league.
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) January 12, 2022
It appears they have found their new identity since their search began after the “Grit and Grind” era of Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol.
Memphis is 29-14, good for the third-best record in the league.
They score the third-most points per game while allowing the 15th fewest.
Their offensive, defensive, and net ratings all rank in the top 10 (sixth, seventh, and seventh, respectively).
Perhaps the most impressive stat – the Grizzlies are doing all of this as the second-youngest team in the league in terms of average age.
This surprising but seemingly sustainable success has led some to question whether the Grizzlies should go all-in now.
Here are three potential trades Memphis could make to go all-in.
3. Harrison Barnes
The common denominator between all three potential trade targets is they are all bigger wings.
Memphis already has the star backcourt (Ja Morant and Desmond Bane) and a versatile rim-protecting center (Jaren Jackson Jr.).
Dillon Brooks should also factor in once healthy, but they do not have the player to slide in-between Brooks and Jackson.
Here is where Harrison Barnes fits in.
The 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward can play power forward and defend those bigger players.
He and Brooks would give Memphis a ton of defensive versatility come playoff time.
And give them two decent options to throw at other star forwards in the Western Conference (LeBron James, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, etc.).
On offense, he should not disrupt any chemistry there.
Barnes is averaging 16.1 points per game for the Kings this year while canning a career-best 42.2 percent of his triples.
My latest for @thekingsherald focused on Harrison Barnes.
“We don’t want him to be quiet,” Gentry said. “We’ve talked to him several times about when you shoot the percentage he shoots from three, I think you got to get up at least eight three-pointers"https://t.co/fGsuT8kFSx
— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) January 12, 2022
As good as Memphis has been on offense, they could use some more perimeter shooting.
They rank 23rd in threes made per game, 17th in three-point percentage, and 27th in three-point attempt rate.
Barnes also has experience being the main offensive option from his days in Dallas and would give the Grizzlies a second option next to Morant.
Barnes would also likely cost the least of the three options listed to acquire, meaning Memphis can keep most of the depth that has made them so successful this year.
2. Brandon Ingram
Much of the case for Barnes can be made for Brandon Ingram.
While Ingram does not have the size Barnes does on defense, he is a more advanced scorer.
Brandon Ingram called GAME.
He is averaging 22.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game this season.
🎥 @PelicansNBApic.twitter.com/Mwjdq4nc8p
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 12, 2022
Ingram is also five years younger, meaning he aligns better with the Grizzlies core.
He would carry a heftier price tag than Barnes, however.
Memphis would probably have to send out one of Bane or De’Anthony Melton, another young prospect, and a handful of picks.
Which is something Memphis may not be ready to do quite yet.
They have been one of the more patient rebuilding teams and it has so far paid off.
If they were to bring in Ingram, they would be getting a 24-year-old forward under contract through 2024-25.
His numbers are down slightly this year but has averaged nearly 24 points per game these past two seasons on a 58 percent True Shooting.
Just like Barnes, Ingram gives Memphis another perimeter threat as he shot 39 percent on 6.2 threes per game his last two years.
Stars tend to win in the NBA and acquiring Ingram would give Memphis a second to pair with Morant.
1. Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown is the least likely to happen but also the biggest name of the three.
Celtics brass has come out and said they have no plans to split their star duo, but Brown’s name has been in trade rumors.
The 25-year-old forward has topped 20 points per game the past two seasons and is averaging 24.2 points this year.
He is shooting 46 percent from the field, 37 percent from deep on good volume (7.6 attempts per game), and 77 percent from the line.
Just like Ingram, his age aligns with the rest of the Memphis team and provides Morant a co-star running mate.
Also like Ingram, Memphis would likely need to sacrifice a few young players and a few picks to get the deal done.
Memphis should be calling Boston about Jaylen Brown every half hour or so, but he’s likely not available.
Would be so unbelievably hyped if they pulled that off!https://t.co/JzcueOa2ov
— Brad the Bandit (@bradtheband1t) January 10, 2022
Any blockbuster trade will lead to a reduction in depth for the Grizzlies.
The bench has been a huge part of their success this year.
Eight guys average more than 20 minutes per game and four more top 15 minutes per game.
But rotations also tend to shrink come playoff time.
Typically, the starting five will play heavy minutes with two or three guys coming off the bench.
Depth is a luxury to have in the regular season but loses importance when the games start to matter.
Memphis will need to seriously consider whether it is time to cash in their trade chips.
Any of the three wings mentioned here would bolster their chances come June.
NEXT: Ja Morant Continues To Approach Superstardom