The Memphis Grizzlies are retooling after another disappointing season. After moving on from Desmond Bane, the franchise has doubled down on building around its cornerstone duo of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., while putting faith in the development of promising youngsters like Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells, and GG Jackson II. Despite their youth, this roster remains loaded with talent and upside, leaving Memphis just one or two smart moves away from returning to the playoff mix.
Still, the front office must proceed carefully. With such a delicate balance between growth and contention, the wrong blockbuster trade could derail chemistry and destroy progress. That’s why understanding unrealistic scenarios that fans may dream about but ultimately don’t fit the bigger picture is so important.
With that in mind, here are three realistic trades the Grizzlies could pursue, and three unrealistic ones they should avoid, on their path back to playoff contention. Let’s dive in.
3 Realistic Trade Ideas
A Fair Trade For DeMar DeRozan
Proposed Trade Details
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Sacramento Kings Receive: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Scottie Pippen Jr., 2028 first-round pick
DeMar DeRozan is still one of the league’s most reliable scorers after averaging 22.2 points per game on 47.7% from the field last season. For the Grizzlies, his ability to create in the half-court would immediately address one of their biggest weaknesses. With Ja Morant pushing the pace and Jaren Jackson Jr. stretching the floor, DeRozan could slot in as the secondary playmaker and go-to scorer late in games. Even if DeRozan has an “old-school” game, he can be a perfect addition for a reasonable price.
For the Kings, this move balances the roster with depth and shooting. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope adds perimeter defense and championship experience, while a 2028 first-round pick gives them more flexibility in future roster moves. Scottie Pippen Jr. is a developmental piece but fits the Kings’ need for guard depth on a team-friendly deal since they haven’t found their answer since losing De’Aaron Fox.
This is a fair trade because Memphis doesn’t have to sacrifice its most valuable young players, while still landing a proven All-Star-caliber wing. DeRozan isn’t the long-term answer, but his short-term impact could be the difference between fighting for the play-in and solidifying a playoff spot.
A Swing For Paul George
Proposed Trade Details
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Paul George, 2030 second-round pick
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Clarke, John Konchar, Cedric Coward, 2028 first-round pick
Paul George, if healthy, could catapult Memphis back into Western Conference relevance. At his best, George is an elite two-way forward who can shoot (career 38.3% 3-PT FG), defend multiple positions, and handle the ball when needed (16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists per game last season). Pairing him with Ja Morant would instantly give the Grizzlies one of the most dynamic duos in the West, while also taking pressure off Jaren Jackson Jr. on both ends of the floor.
From the 76ers’ perspective, they would receive multiple role players in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Clarke, and John Konchar, plus draft capital in the form of a 2028 first-round pick. This gives them more depth around Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, and flexibility if they look to play with their roster construction again. The 2030 second-round pick is minor, but every draft chip matters when reshaping a contender.
This trade is risky for Memphis because George’s health and age are real concerns. However, the upside is undeniable. George could be the veteran star who helps guide this young Grizzlies roster into playoff form immediately if he can stay healthy enough. Considering the price in this trade idea, this isn’t the worst deal for the Grizzlies.
Clean Deal For Dejounte Murray
Proposed Trade Details
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Dejounte Murray
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Santi Aldama, 2028 first-round pick, 2026 second-round pick, 2032 second-round pick
Dejounte Murray is coming off a major injury, but is a do-it-all guard who would thrive alongside Ja Morant in the Memphis backcourt. His length, defensive instincts, and ability to handle the ball would give the Grizzlies tremendous flexibility. Offensively, Murray can play on or off the ball, making him a natural fit next to Morant while also giving the team another creator in crunch-time situations. Last season, before his Achilles tear, he was posting 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists while adding 2.0 steals per game.
The Pelicans would receive a valuable 3-and-D piece in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, plus Santi Aldama as a versatile forward who can stretch the floor. Additionally, the deal includes both first- and second-round picks across multiple years, which adds long-term upside for New Orleans as it continues to shape its (expected) post-Zion Williamson roster since they already pulled the plug on Brandon Ingram.
For Memphis, the beauty of this deal is that it doesn’t gut their young talent pool. Murray fits the timeline, brings playoff experience, and gives Memphis another high-level defender. It’s a smart, clean deal that raises the Grizzlies’ ceiling enough for a guaranteed playoff spot.
3 Unrealistic Trade Ideas
Giving Up Too Much For Zion Williamson
Proposed Trade Details
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Santi Aldama, Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, Brandon Clarke, 2028 first-round pick, 2032 first-round pick, 2026 second-round pick, 2032 second-round pick
There’s no denying Zion Williamson’s talent. When healthy, he’s one of the most dominant offensive players in the league. But for Memphis, the cost here is far too steep. Trading away Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke, Cedric Coward, and two valuable first-round picks (and two second-rounders) strips the team of both depth and future assets. For a player with Zion’s health history (only 30 appearances last season), it’s an enormous gamble that could backfire.
For New Orleans, this type of haul would be extremely tempting. They’d add young size in Edey, stretch shooting in Aldama, and a versatile forward in Clarke, plus multiple picks to build around their new direction. Essentially, it gives them an instant reset while still maintaining long-term flexibility.
From the Grizzlies’ standpoint, however, this move sacrifices long-term growth for short-term star power. While Ja Morant and Zion would be electric together, the durability concerns and the gutting of Memphis’ depth make this deal far too unrealistic to consider. We also have concerns about how Zion (career 6.6 RPG) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (career 5.5 RPG) would work together in the paint, as neither is considered a dominant rebounder.
A Massive Trade For Zach LaVine
Proposed Trade Details
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Zach LaVine
Sacramento Kings Receive: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Santi Aldama, Scotty Pippen Jr., Cedric Coward, 2028 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick, 2032 first-round pick, 2026 second-round pick, 2032 second-round pick
Zach LaVine would certainly add firepower to Memphis’ offense. His ability to score at all three levels would complement Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. well, giving the Grizzlies another high-volume option in late-game scenarios. But considering LaVine is coming off a very strong season (23.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.2 APG on 44.6% 3-PT FG), the proposed price is simply too high for what LaVine brings.
Sacramento has to be interested in this trade scenario, adding Caldwell-Pope as a proven vet, Aldama as a stretch forward, and three future first-round picks to bolster their war chest. Pippen Jr. and Coward add depth to the rotation, but the true prize here is the draft compensation.
For Memphis, surrendering this much draft capital plus rotation players for LaVine is a major overpay. LaVine has struggled with injuries and consistency, and he doesn’t bring the same defensive value that Memphis should prioritize. While exciting on paper, this deal is not a realistic path for the Grizzlies’ front office.
Getting Unnecessarily Big With Nikola Vucevic
Proposed Trade Details
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Nikola Vucevic
Chicago Bulls Receive: Santi Aldama, Scotty Pippen Jr., 2031 first-round pick
Nikola Vucevic is a skilled big man who can stretch the floor and rebound at a high level (18.5 PPG, 10.1 RPG), but this trade simply doesn’t make sense for Memphis. With Zach Edey developing and Jaren Jackson Jr. anchoring the frontcourt, adding Vucevic would clog the rotation and slow the growth of younger players. His style of play doesn’t align with the Grizzlies’ up-tempo, guard-driven offense.
For Chicago, this trade would be a clean way to offload Vucevic’s contract while adding a promising stretch forward in Santi Aldama, plus a future first-round pick and a developmental guard in Scottie Pippen Jr. It’s a respectable return for a player they may eventually move on from anyway.
Ultimately, this is unrealistic because Memphis doesn’t need what Vucevic provides. It would cost them draft capital and young talent without making them much better. Yes, the Grizzlies don’t trust Jackson Jr. to haul down boards as well as Vucevic can, but perhaps they believe Edey can develop into that consistent force one day instead of losing too much for a 34-year-old center right now.
