OKC Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 2019-20 team preview
Other than Morant and Jackson who the Grizzlies hope will become the cornerstones of the future Memphis aggressively churned over their roster this offseason. They kept, signed or traded for young players they want to assess this season to continue building the core and supplementary pieces.
Brandon Clarke was nabbed 21st in the draft when they flipped picks with the OKC Thunder. Clarke was a standout in Vegas and the preseason. He joins fellow Canadian Dillon Brooks who presumably is also a player team has earmarked for the future.
Grayson Allen, De’Anthony Melton, and Josh Jackson were young players added in trades while Miles Plumlee, Jae Crowder, and Solomon Hill are all on expiring deals that will come off the books at year-end, could be used in trade packages or waived.
With the addition of Morant, it freed up the Grizzlies to trade Delon Wright who they got two second-round picks from Dallas for. In turn, the team signed Tyus Jones in free agency presumably as insurance at the point. Memphis also cut ties with Chandler Parsons who never lived up to expectations or his ugly contract.
Perhaps the most interesting addition was Andre Iguodala plus a 2024 first-round pick from the Warriors. Getting the draft pick was the draw in the trade, however, with Iggy’s preference to play for a contender and several teams covetous of his skillset it could equate to another trade delivering more picks and/or assets.
Players Added:
Free Agency:
G: Marko Guduric
G: Tyus Jones
Trade:
G: Grayson Allen (trade with Jazz
G: De’Anthony Melton (trade with Suns)
F/G: Andre Iguodala (trade with Warriors)
F: Jae Crowder (trade with Jazz)
F: Solomon Hill (trade with Hawks)
F: Josh Jackson (trade with Suns)
C: Miles Plumlee (trade with Hawks)
Rookies:
F: Brandon Clarke (No. 21, via trade with Thunder)
G: Ja Morant (No. 2)
Departing Players:
Free Agents:
G: Avery Bradley (signed with Lakers)
G: Justin Holiday (signed with Pacers)
C: Dwight Howard (waived)
G: Tyler Dorsey (unrestricted)
C: Joakim Noah (unrestricted)
C: Tyler Zeller (unrestricted)
Trade:
G: Jevon Carter (traded to Suns)
G: Mike Conley (traded to Jazz)
G: Delon Wright (traded to Mavericks)
F/G: C.J. Miles (traded to Wizards)
F/G: Julian Washburn (traded to Warriors)
F: Chandler Parsons (traded to Hawks)