In a season where they were projected to finish near the bottom of the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies shocked everyone and were right in the thick of things in the Orlando Bubble. Rookie of the Year, Ja Morant and second-year rising star, Jaren Jackson Jr. were fantastic together last season and even though Jackson went down with a torn meniscus during the NBA seeding games, Morant carried the team to a play-in game in the Western Conference Playoffs, where they ultimately fell to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Last season proved to the entire Grizzlies organization that they are well ahead of schedule on their rebuild process and thanks in large part to Ja Morant, who has the makings of an NBA superstar as he continues to grow.

Unfortunately, Memphis will now have to be without Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. for a large chunk of time as their reigning Rookie of the Year will be out for a few weeks with a Grade 2 ankle sprain. In order for this team to reach their full potential, they need to surround their young players with some established role players. 

This offseason, the Grizzlies signed De’Anthony Melton to a four-year, $35M contract extension, but is definitely a player that could be on the move if the Grizzlies look to add some depth to their rotation. Melton has missed some time early on in the season due to health and safety protocols established by the NBA this season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in his absence, Tyus Jones and rookie Desmond Bane have stepped up and are playing well.

Melton will get his chance to prove what he can do with Morant out as soon as he himself is cleared to return to play, but if Bane continues to play at the level he is playing at, Melton could be out of a job in Memphis. The Grizzlies could definitely look to make a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, even though they are a title favorite because the Lakers could use some young talent, especially in their backcourt. 

Let’s take a look at a potential trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies revolving around De’Anthony Melton and some key role players.