The Grizzlies are having a strong season, sitting at 17-8 and looking like a real threat in the Western Conference. With Ja Morant balling out, while Jaren Jackson Jr. is locking things down on defense, and stepping up as a scorer, this squad has all the tools to compete. But, as we all know, surviving a long NBA season and making a deep playoff run takes more than just a solid core.
If the Grizzlies really want to lock in a top seed and go all-in on a title run, it might be time to shake things up with a trade. Whether it’s a knockdown shooter, a veteran leader, or another defensive beast, adding the right piece could make all the difference.
In this article, we’re diving into seven trade targets who could take the Grizzlies to the next level. Let’s see who could be the perfect fit to help the Grizz dominate the West.
A Wanted Shooter Goes To Memphis
Grizzlies receive: Cam Johnson
Nets receive: Marcus Smart, Vince Williams, 2026 First-Round Pick
The Nets have entered a soft rebuild after a surprisingly strong start to the season despite trading away Mikal Bridges in the offseason. With players like Cam Johnson, Dennis Schroder, and Dorian Finney-Smith reportedly on the trade block, it’s clear they’re looking to retool for the future. Johnson, though, might be one of the most appealing names out there.
He’s been lights out this season, averaging 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 23 games while shooting a scorching 43% from deep. For a Grizzlies team that desperately needs more perimeter shooting, he’s the perfect fit. Slot him next to Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, rookie Jaylen Wells (who’s firmly in the Rookie of the Year race), and Jaren Jackson Jr., and you’ve got a lineup that can hang with anyone in the West.
On the Nets’ side, they get Marcus Smart, a player who can be flipped later for even more assets, along with Vince Williams Jr., a young wing with potential, and a valuable future first-round pick in 2026. For a team focused on long-term flexibility, it’s a win-now trade that makes sense for both sides.
Betting All-In For Jimmy Butler
Grizzlies receive: Jimmy Butler
Heat receive: Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Brandon Clarke, John Konchar, 2025 First-Round Pick, 2027 First-Round Pick
Talk about a curveball—the Heat are reportedly open to trading Jimmy Butler. He’s in the final year of his $48 million contract and has made it clear he won’t pick up his $52 million player option for the 2025-26 season. But still, it’s wild to think they’d part ways with their franchise player.
Butler, at 35, isn’t showing signs of slowing down. This season, he’s averaging 19.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists over 17 games. After a slow start, he’s picked up the pace, reminding everyone why he’s a six-time All-Star. His leadership and playoff experience make him invaluable, especially for teams eyeing a deep postseason run.
Rumor has it Butler’s interested in joining the Rockets, Mavericks, or Warriors—teams with serious championship aspirations. The Rockets offer proximity to his hometown, Houston, which could be a big draw. The Mavericks and Warriors, with their strong rosters, present enticing opportunities for another title chase.
Enter the Grizzlies. They could make a compelling offer: sending Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Brandon Clarke, John Konchar, and first-round picks in 2025 and 2027 to the Heat. This deal would bolster the Heat’s roster with solid players and future assets, keeping them competitive now and building for the future.
For the Grizzlies, adding Butler to a lineup with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. could be transformative. Butler’s defensive prowess and clutch performances align perfectly with the Grizzlies’ grit-and-grind identity. His playoff experience would be invaluable for a team looking to make a deep run in the competitive Western Conference.
Snagging A Top 3-Level Scorer In Norman Powell
Grizzlies Receive: Norman Powell
Clippers Receive: Santi Aldama, Luke Kennard, 2027 First-Round Pick, 2025 Second-Round Pick (via HOU or OKC), 2026 Second-Round Pick (via PHX, WAS or ORL)
The Clippers have been all over the place this season. They’re sitting at 14-11, but it’s been a mix of highs and lows. After ripping off a nine-game home winning streak, they’ve now dropped two in a row, including a rough 117-106 loss to the Rockets. The team’s been hit by injuries, and their roster feels a bit out of balance right now.
Norman Powell, though, has been a steady force. He’s been absolutely cooking this season, putting up 23.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting an insane 48.7% from deep. The guy has been their most reliable scorer, stepping up big time with Kawhi Leonard missing games. Even after dealing with a hamstring injury in November, Powell has been lights out when he’s on the floor.
But with the Clippers looking to shake things up, Powell’s name has popped up in trade rumors. He’s the kind of player who can fetch a solid return, and the Grizzlies could really use his scoring punch. For Memphis, Powell would bring exactly what they need: someone who can get buckets from the perimeter and take some pressure off Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The trade package makes sense for both sides. Kennard is one of the best shooters in the league, Aldama gives the Clippers a versatile young big, and those first and second-round picks add some future value. The Clippers get some depth and flexibility, while the Grizzlies grab a proven scorer who fits their timeline and their style.
Powell on the Grizzlies just feels right. He’s got the experience, the scoring ability, and the toughness to fit perfectly with this group. Memphis is already in the mix out West, and adding Powell could make them a legit contender. This deal could be the move that pushes both teams closer to where they want to be.
The Grizzlies Go Big With Vucevic
Grizzlies Receive: Nikola Vucevic, Chris Duarte
Bulls Receive: Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, 2026 First-Round Pick, 2027 Second-Round Pick (from Atl)
The Bulls are stuck in no man’s land. At 10-15 this season, they’re just not getting it done. It’s not a full tank, but they’re also nowhere near contention. Nikola Vucevic has been holding it down, averaging 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 22 games. The guy has been solid as always—efficient from the field at 51% and even splashing 34% from deep. But with this roster clearly going nowhere fast, moving him and starting fresh might finally be the right call.
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are in a completely different spot. They’ve got Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr., but they need that extra push to compete at the highest level in a brutal Western Conference. Vucevic is exactly the type of player they’re missing. He’s a proven scorer inside and out, he rebounds like crazy, and his ability to pass out of the post fits perfectly with the Grizzlies’ style. Throw Chris Duarte into the mix—a shooter who can defend wings—and you’ve got a pair of additions that make this team a serious threat.
For the Bulls, the package makes sense if they’re finally embracing the rebuild. Marcus Smart is a defensive dog and brings the kind of leadership they’ll need as they transition into a younger core. Jake LaRavia hasn’t fully broken out yet, but he’s got potential as a floor-spacing forward. Add a first-round pick in 2026 and a second-rounder in 2027, and you’ve got a deal that helps them focus on the future.
For the Grizzlies, this move is about taking the next step. They keep their core intact and add a big man in Vucevic who fits their win-now mentality. He spaces the floor, crashes the boards, and gives them another offensive weapon to balance out the team. Duarte, meanwhile, provides valuable depth on the wing—a spot where Memphis could use some extra firepower.
This trade is a win-win. The Bulls finally commit to a rebuild, collecting assets and resetting their roster, while the Grizzlies add two players who make them legit contenders in the West. It’s the kind of move that shifts the balance for both teams and pushes Memphis closer to a deep playoff run.
A Move To Bring Back Jonas Valanciunas
Grizzlies Receive: Jonas Valanciunas
Wizards Receive: Luke Kennard, 2025 Second-Round Pick (from Hou or OKC), 2026 Second-Round Pick (from LAC)
If Nikola Vucevic isn’t the style of big man the Grizzlies are looking for, how about a reunion with Jonas Valanciunas? The Wizards, who are a dumpster fire at 3-19 this season and riding a brutal 15-game losing streak, seem like they’re ready to sell. Word is, they signed Valanciunas this summer to a three-year, $30.3 million deal, mostly to trade him as soon as he became available. With his $9 million per year salary, he’s an affordable option for a team looking to bolster their frontcourt.
Valanciunas has been solid this season, averaging 11.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable—a big who can rebound, score in the post, and knows how to play his role. For the Grizzlies, who already know what they’re getting from him after his previous stint with the team, it’s an easy plug-and-play move. Pairing him with Jaren Jackson Jr. could bring balance to their lineup and help them dominate the paint.
For the Wizards, this trade is all about building for the future. They’d get Luke Kennard, one of the league’s best three-point shooters, who could help space the floor for their young guards. Add in second-round picks for 2025 and 2026, and it’s clear the team is collecting assets for a long rebuild. They aren’t going anywhere this season, so flipping Valanciunas for picks and a shooter is a no-brainer.
This deal would work for both sides. A big man who can help them right now could be great for the Grizzlies, and the Wizards move a player they reportedly signed just to trade. For the Grizzlies, Valanciunas may not be the flashiest move, but his toughness, rebounding, and familiarity with the team make him a great fit for their playoff push. Sometimes, the simplest move is the smartest one.
Donte DiVincenzo Would Fit Like A Glove
Grizzlies receive: Donte DiVincenzo
Timberwolves receive: Luke Kennard, Jay Huff, 2030 Second-Round Pick (from Pho or Wash)
The Timberwolves went all in by trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, but let’s be real—it hasn’t gone as planned. Randle just hasn’t clicked with this team, and now there’s talk that DiVincenzo could be on the trade block too. He’s averaging 8.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds while shooting just 32% from three, which isn’t great. But honestly, a lot of that might have to do with the clunky fit of Randle and Rudy Gobert messing up the spacing. After making the Western Conference Finals last year, the Wolves are now ninth in the West and clearly not where they want to be.
This is where the Grizzlies could swoop in. DiVincenzo would be an ideal fit with his defensive intensity and ability to play off the ball. Sure, his shooting hasn’t been great this season, but put him in a system with Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, and you might see those numbers bounce back. Plus, he brings playoff experience, which never hurts for a team looking to make a deep run.
In return, the Wolves get Luke Kennard, one of the best three-point shooters in the league. He’s not the defender DiVincenzo is, but his shooting could help open up the floor for Anthony Edwards and Randle to do their thing. Along with Kennard, the Timberwolves would grab Jay Huff, a big man who’s been making noise since leaving the Lakers. Huff is a shot-blocker, rebounder, and can even hit threes—a perfect backup to Gobert who gives the Wolves more flexibility up front.
For the Grizzlies, this deal is all about getting a guy who fits their gritty, hard-nosed identity. DiVincenzo’s shooting struggles could easily improve in Memphis, where he won’t be stuck playing next to a frontcourt that clogs the lane. For the Wolves, it’s about finding pieces that make sense next to their stars. Kennard and Huff offer shooting and versatility, and that 2030 second-rounder is a little cherry on top.
This trade checks the boxes for both sides. The Grizzlies get a player who fits their system perfectly, and the Wolves get assets that help them address some glaring roster issues. It’s not flashy, but it’s the kind of move that could quietly make both teams better.
Obi Toppin Would Be A Great Energy Guy
Grizzlies Receive: Obi Toppin
Pacers Receive: Luke Kennard, Jay Huff, 2030 Second-Round Pick (from Pho or Wash)
The Pacers have had a tough start to the season. After making a surprising playoff run last year, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, they’re now sitting at 10-15 and are 9th in the East. Things haven’t quite clicked for them, and with a couple of rough stretches, it’s clear they’re looking to make some moves. Obi Toppin, who they signed to a four-year, $60 million deal this past summer, has been decent—averaging 10.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. But with their current struggles, the Pacers are reportedly looking to shake things up and could be moving Toppin to make a deal that helps them out.
This is where the Grizzlies could step in. Toppin is an athletic, versatile player who could add some serious energy to their lineup. His style of play fits perfectly with the Grizzlies’ high-energy, fast-paced game. They need more versatility in the forward position, and Toppin can help with that. He’s shown growth as a scorer and rebounder, and this team could really use that extra depth to compete at a higher level in the West.
For the Pacers, moving Toppin would open up the door to some changes. They’d get Luke Kennard, a guy who can shoot the lights out from deep and would instantly provide floor spacing, something the Pacers need with Tyrese Haliburton struggling to create for himself. They’d also get Jay Huff, a big who can come in and contribute with shot-blocking, rebounding, and floor spacing. Huff could be a solid backup center for them, giving them another body to rotate in and out of the lineup, especially with the team looking for depth in the middle and him averaging 9.5 points, 1.3 blocks, and shooting 41% from deep in under 16 minutes every night.
For the Grizzlies, adding Toppin is a smart move. He’s young, fits their timeline, and brings an element of athleticism and scoring that they can use. Pairing him with Jaren Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt could be a deadly combination, as both players can stretch the floor and defend.
In the end, this trade would work out for both teams. The Pacers would get a sharpshooter and an exciting big man, while the Grizzlies strengthen their forward position and add another key player to their rotation. It’s a win-win for both squads as they look to make moves toward their playoff goals.
