The Memphis Grizzlies lost Steven Adams to a season-ending injury yesterday, placing a dark cloud over the immediate future of the franchise. Adams initially injured himself at the end of last season, missing the Grizzlies’ first-round loss to the Lakers. Many said Adams’ absence was what hurt the Grizz, who couldn’t guard Anthony Davis with reigning DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Grizzlies can’t go into next season with a big-man rotation featuring Xavier Tillman and Santi Aldama, so finding an Adams replacement is the immediate priority for the franchise. With Brandon Clarke also out for nearly the entire season and Ja Morant missing the first 25 games due to suspension, the Grizz have to do something to maintain their win-now window.
But which center is available for them to even make a swing at and increase their chances of winning?
Bismack Biyombo
One of the easiest options in the market for the Grizzlies to pursue would be Bismack Biyombo. Biyombo is a budget center who’s been playing on minimum contracts since the end of his stint with the Charlotte Hornets. He spent last season with the Suns and averaged 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks as a backup big.
Biyombo would help round the Grizzlies’ center rotation up as the best free-agent option that was in the league last season. He’s a little short for the position but is one of the strongest players in the NBA. He provided value to the Suns off the bench and can anchor a defense in bursts. However, his size may not be ideal when he’s matching up against the likes of Nikola Jokic and Davis. But his switchability would be a big addition to the team with JJJ protecting the rim.
DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins has been trying to find his way back into the NBA for years, but the former All-Star hasn’t played on a guaranteed contract since the 2019-20 season. Even that year, Cousins was ultimately waived by a title-winning Lakers squad because of injuries. He’s played for the Rockets, Clippers, Bucks, and Nuggets since but hasn’t found a home. He last averaged 9.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in the 2021/22 season
He spent last season outside the NBA but played professionally in Puerto Rico. Despite making it clear he’s available to NBA teams, nobody has come calling. But the Grizzlies could use a body like Cousins’ at the center position. He has the potential to add a spark to their scoring and would be a big body to absorb minutes behind their currently woefully thin big-man rotation.
Dwight Howard
Similar to Cousins, Dwight Howard has been playing internationally for the last season after not getting an NBA contract offer in the 2022 offseason or throughout the season. After averaging 6.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in a down year for the Lakers in 2021/22, it seems the league was okay with parting with Howard after his 18th NBA season. But after keeping himself in shape with a season in Taiwan, the Grizzlies may consider Howard as the best available free agent.
Howard is a three-time DPOY and has strong defensive instincts. While he isn’t the same athletic beast he was, he can provide hard screens like Adams did and be a rim-protecting threat. In a frontcourt tandem with JJJ, Howard could be the muscle that takes other big men on one-on-one, but with JJJ as a roaming defender. Howard’s size would be extremely useful as the league is seeing a renaissance in elite centers.
Robert Williams III
The first of two potential trade options for the Grizzlies come with Robert Williams. The team still has a lot of future picks under their control and may be willing to part with a few draft assets and a player like Luke Kennard to convince the Portland Trail Blazers to send them Robert Williams. Williams ended up in Portland with the Jrue Holiday trade, but the Blazers already have a big man in Deandre Ayton on the roster as well. Williams averaged 8.0 points and 8.3 rebounds last season in 25 games.
While the Blazers could run Williams at the center and Ayton at the power forward, trading the injury-prone Williams to a desperate buyer like the Grizzlies for a first-round pick could be the move for the franchise. Williams is expected to be healthy heading into the season, and the team may be willing to take the gamble on his future health with just one pick. If he stays healthy, it gives the Grizz an explosive rebounder and defender who could be a long-term option for the franchise.
Myles Turner
Myles Turner is coming off a career year with the Indiana Pacers. After years of trade rumors, this offseason has been the first with minimal rumors about Turner, who signed a contract extension in January. However, it is a short-term contract that ends at the end of 2025. It’s a very tradeable piece for a rebuilding Pacers squad that could finally generate the multi-pick haul they have always wanted in a Turner trade. He averaged 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks last season
Turner would be the perfect complementary piece to Jaren in the frontcourt, with both players having similar shot-blocking and shooting skillsets. It gives the Grizz an option to play five out and open up the inside for Morant’s finishing ability. He would also be an excellent option against bigs like Davis and Jokic in the West due to his ability to move his feet and block shots at an elite level. There really isn’t a bigger possible upgrade, but the Grizz will fully commit their future to this title-winning core if they make this deal.
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