With Ja Morant sidelined for all but nine games, the 2023-24 campaign was a lost cause for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Taylor Jenkins’ squad posted an ugly 27-55 record and was nowhere near contention in the Western Conference.
This doesn’t mean expectations won’t be high in 2024-25. Memphis firmly believes it has a solid core group in that of Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. The team will look to build on that during what promises to be an interesting summer.
Memphis is set to pick ninth overall in the coming 2024 NBA Draft. It’s a position the team likely won’t find itself in moving forward. That is to say, selecting within the top 10.
As such, the Grizzlies are attempting to make the most of it in what is seen as one of the weakest NBA Draft classes in some time.
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Memphis Grizzlies eyeing trade up for Donovan Clingan
Jeremy Woo of ESPN noted recently that Memphis has joined the likes of the Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago Bulls in looking to move up for the former UConn center.
Clingan has drawn recent interest by the Atlanta Hawks with the first pick in the draft after leading the Huskies to back-to-back national championships. Though, the unsure nature of this year’s event could have him falling out of that slot.
- Donovan Clingan stats (2023-24): 13.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 64% shooting
The 7-foot-2 big man is more of your traditional center. He bangs inside and is limited when it comes to hitting from outside of the key. While his upside might be limited, Clingan’s floor is high. Hence, why teams are interested in moving up for him.
Selecting No. 3 overall, the Houston Rockets could be a prime trade-up partner. They are looking to move this selection for an All-Star caliber player. Perhaps, the Grizzlies offer up someone like Bane. They could also move future assets with the ninth pick to make it work.