4 Biggest Memphis Grizzlies Trades

The Memphis Grizzlies is one of the relatively new teams in the NBA, as they joined the league in 1995 as the Vancouver Grizzlies. Although they aren’t consistent favorites to win a title in basketball odds and are one of the NBA teams never to reach the Finals, they were able to qualify for the playoffs multiple times since the franchise moved to Memphis in 2001. This success was primarily because of the trades they made.

Memphis’ most recent big trade was the acquisition of 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. This trade was also part of the Boston Celtics’ biggest trades, which included the Washington Wizards in a three-team deal. Aside from Smart, who among the Grizzlies superstars was acquired via trade and altered the fate of the franchise? Here’s a top-four list.

Pau Gasol

A year after moving to Memphis, the Grizzlies made their first major trade in 2001 when they received the third overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft Pau Gasol, Lorenzen Wright, and Brevin Knight for Shareef Abdur-Rahim and the 27th pick in that year’s draft. The third overall pick in the 2001 draft was the first official superstar of the franchise, and he became the team’s starting center.

Gasol won the Rookie of the Year award for Memphis with his freshman average of 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. In his seven seasons with the team, the 7-foot-1 big man spearheaded the Grizzlies’ three playoff campaigns from 2004 to 2006; unfortunately, they were swept in the opening round on all those occasions.

Marc Gasol

When Memphis traded Pau Gasol to the Lakers in 2008, they received the rights for his younger brother, Marc Gasol, who they officially signed in July 2008. Besides Marc, the Grizzlies also acquired Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, and two-first round picks. The younger Gasol almost instantly filled the void that his older brother left.

https://twitter.com/memgrizz/status/1093889629453864960

The 6-foot-10 center was part of the “Grit and Grind” era of the franchise along with Mike Conley and Tony Allen. Gasol also helped Memphis clinch six playoff campaigns in his 11-year stay, where he accumulated 15.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 769 games. Marc Gasol’s tenure with the Grizzlies culminated with three NBA All-Star selections and a Defensive Player of the Year award.

Zach Randolph

Another key player in the “Grit and Grind” era of the Grizzlies was Zach Randolph, who was acquired by the team via trade from the Los Angeles Clippers in 2009 for Quentin Richardson. The Clippers initiated the move because they were grooming their 2009 first overall pick to be the starting power forward, which Randolph played for them the season prior.

The 19th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft seamlessly found his role in Memphis as he provided a double-double stat line and became the veteran presence in the locker room. Because of his Grizzlies average of 16.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 551 games across eight seasons, they were able to reach the postseason seven times. Additionally, “Z-Bo” was selected for two All-Star Games.

Marcus Smart

Memphis’s most recent trade was the addition of Marcus Smart after a three-team trade with Boston and Washington in 2023. The team gave up Tyus Jones and their 25th overall pick in the 2023 draft to acquire the defensive guard. Smart spent his first nine seasons in the league with the Celtics, who drafted him as the sixth overall pick in 2014.

grit grind. the remix 🗣️

welcome to the M @smart_MS3 pic.twitter.com/6grB5Ywq2u

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) June 23, 2023

The 6-foot-4 guard will give Memphis another elite defender who can guard multiple positions, a reliable playmaker, and a decent three-point shooter. Smart also brings his toughness and winning experience to the young team that badly needs a veteran presence. A new big three of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Smart have created a new era for the Grizzlies.

4 Biggest Memphis Grizzlies Trades