The Memphis Grizzlies are among the forgotten contenders in the NBA due to their struggles last season, as the franchise slumped to a 27-55 finish. Ja Morant played just six games while both Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. missed major time on a franchise that had historic levels of poor injury luck. With a healthy roster coming into the 2024-25 season, the Grizzlies should pick up where they left off in 2023 as one of the top teams in the West.
The Grizzlies are well-placed to be a Playoff team, but they need more to be genuine contenders alongside the likes of the Mavericks, Timberwolves, Nuggets, and Thunder. They could make a major swing to add a premier forward piece to tie their roster together, with the Pelicans possibly having the answer they need on their roster. Brandon Ingram seems dissatisfied with his spot on the Pelicans and this could be a way to find a new situation.
Trade Details
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Brandon Ingram, Jordan Hawkins
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, John Konchar, 2026 First-Round Pick Swap (MEM), 2028 First-Round Pick (MEM)
Ingram gets to continue playing for a contending franchise that could use his versatile wing play instead of overloading on guards as they had in recent seasons. Jordan Hawkins is a young multi-positional defender and lights-out shooter who would find a comfortable home in the Grizzlies’ spread offense if he gets rotational minutes. The Pels get another All-Defense level guard along with a competent big man to throw into their center rotation.
The Grizzlies Build A Fierce Roster
The Memphis Grizzlies should be among the contenders in the West based on the continuity and strength of their roster. We know if Morant, Jackson Jr., and Bane stay healthy for over 70 games, the team will be competing for the postseason. But given their previous Playoff exits from 2021 to 2023, the team might need additional reinforcements, especially on the offensive end.
Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last season, a down year for the Pelicans forward who’s looking increasingly disconnected from the team. His scoring prowess would be useful on the Grizzlies, who don’t have any archetypal wing scorer outside sophomore GG Jackson who might need more seasoning before being a starter on a contender. Ingram blends scoring with strong on-ball creation to be a major offensive weapon that can fit into their offensive schemes.
Jordan Hawkins is a talented young swingman who can play and guard three positions on the court. He averaged 7.8 points on 36.6% from three last season, being regarded as one of the best shooters in the 2023 Draft. The Pelicans have too many guard presences for Hawkins to develop, which leads to them extracting value with an additional pick by including Hawkins.
The Grizzlies haven’t been able to find a permanent solution on the wing in the Morant era, with the last player to nail that spot down being Dillon Brooks. But with a lot of defensive talent on the roster, the Grizzlies need more offensive creators on their roster. Bane is a phenomenal shooter and improving on-ball creator while Morant struggles to consistently score from beyond the perimeter. Ingram will be the perfect conduit between them and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Pelicans Streamline Their Roster For A Season Of Contention
Even though the Pelicans are giving up the best player in this trade, they’re finding a way to get better by adding depth and creating more space for their talented youngsters. It’s clear players like Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones can be major contributors on a contending team, but they need Ingram to leave before they can open up a more defined spot for them in the rotation, with Jones’ spot as the starting two-guard under threat with the acquisition of Dejounte Murray.
Marcus Smart averaged 14.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists last season but would be a major asset to this team as a defensive guard presence to further enhance the perimeter defensive presence alongside Herb Jones. It would also justify moving CJ McCollum to the sixth-man role as an offensive spark, with a defensive-heavy backcourt with Smart and Murray. The players could be used interchangeably, but it gives the Pelicans dynamic guard play that most teams in the West would envy.
Brandon Clarke averaged 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in the 2022-23 season, proving to be a dynamic frontcourt presence across positions. He could complement Zion Williamson in the frontcourt well, with pure defensive presences such as Yves Missi and Daniel Theis also to rotate through the center position.
What Grade Should This Trade Be?
Both teams take major steps towards solidifying their roster for the 2024-25 season, but these moves could upset the status quo on each of these rosters. Nonetheless, it could be worth it for both sides to take the next step in their roster building through a blockbuster move like this.
New Orleans Pelicans: A-
Losing Ingram puts additional pressure on Murray, Zion, and C.J. for offense, with players like Trey Murphy still unproven in high-pressure spots. Ingram has been a Playoff performer for the Pelicans in the past, so giving him up won’t be an easy decision. However, this seems like a pretty great deal for a player who’s at risk of becoming redundant and is on an expiring contract.
Working Smart into the rotation shouldn’t be too challenging and allow the Pelicans to double down on their defensive identity. Clarke isn’t a full-time solution at center but is a movable contract and solid rotational piece to have at the start of the season. The picks will be an asset to monitor, as the Pels likely will trade them in along with the picks they received from the Hawks for a substantial upgrade before they convey.
Memphis Grizzlies: B
The Grizzlies might be overpaying to get this deal done from a divisional rival, but it could be the move that puts them over the top. Ingram is a nearly flawless offensive player, though he isn’t as efficient as many would want him to be. He makes good decisions on-ball, is a three-level scorer, and has shown improvements in defensive intensity in recent seasons.
The pick price might be too steep, even with the arrival of Hawkins. Ingram is a free agent next summer, with the Grizzlies likely losing him or having to commit to him as part of their long-term core. If it doesn’t work out, the Grizz can move on without worrying about a bad contract but will have given up two first-round picks for a project like Hawkins and a one-year rental of a former All-Star.
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