Future outlook: How OKC Thunder build from here
By Aidan E
Memphis Grizzlies: shift to new era
The Memphis Grizzlies essentially went through the exact same situation as the Thunder did this past week. Their two franchise players have been traded in a span of five months, and the Grit-and-Grind era Grizzlies officially was ended this season. While the Grizz didn’t get nearly as much in return as OKC has received through trades, OKC could follow a similar blueprint to what they did this offseason. The Grizzlies have made two smart moves this offseason that stand out to me, trading for Andre Iguodala as well as trading Kyle Korver to the Suns.
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In return for taking on Iguodala’s expiring salary, the Grizzlies received a 2024 first round pick from Golden State which they could choose to keep or flip in the future. They have also started shopping the veteran forward for additional assets, according to Mike Fisher of 247sports.com.
The Grizzlies also took advantage of the Suns terrible front office this summer and traded Kyle Korver (who they got in the Mike Conley trade) as well as 2018 second rounder Jevon Carter for 2017 top five pick Josh Jackson, DeAnthony Melton and a 2020 second round pick.
The Grizzlies bought extremely low on these two players in hopes of them flourishing and becoming key pieces to their rebuild led by Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson. The Suns, on the other hand, waived Kyle Korver according to the NBA transactions page and essentially got nothing in return for those players.
They also did a sign and trade with point guard Delon Wright and sent him to Dallas in exchange for some second rounders, and instead signed Tyus Jones to a multi-year deal who I believe is a better player than Wright. These are the types of subtle moves I expect Sam Presti to consider going forward in this rebuilding process with the Thunder.