While the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks dominate the Western Conference, the second-place Memphis Grizzlies are often overlooked. They are 18-9, and Ja Morant is playing at an All-Star level, keeping them in the top five in both offensive and defensive ratings.
However, after an injury-riddled season last year that kept them out of the postseason, the Grizzlies are not seen as a legitimate title threat, even though all the advanced metrics and their record point to them being legitimate contenders. Many of the league’s best teams have been linked to some premier trade targets, and the Grizzlies are a sensible landing spot.
Memphis ranks 14th in 3-point attempts per game and 16th in percentage, making only 35.8% of their shots from behind the arc. If they are willing to match salary, they could get involved in the Cameron Johnson sweepstakes.
“Many around the league expect Johnson to be next, though his salary may be a little trickier to move with his $4.5 million in unlikely incentives that count against the aprons,” Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus wrote Wednesday. “Teams facing financial pressure may be challenging, but keep an eye on the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings.”
Johnson is one of the best trade assets in the NBA. Currently averaging a career-high 18.6 points on 43.3% shooting from deep, the Brooklyn Nets are expected to trade him away in pursuit of their tank and rebuild.
Johnson has been linked to his fair share of suitors, ranging from the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets and plenty of others, although for the simple price of Marcus Smart and a draft pick, the Grizzlies could make a surprise bid.
Smart is valued in Memphis, but he has only six starts this season and a full injury history. Johnson, meanwhile, is reliable and would be an immediate upgrade to the starting lineup, allowing Jaylen Wells to come off the bench and dominate weaker opponents.
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