NBA Rumors: Grizzlies' Marcus Smart Eyed as Trade Target by Insiders amid Struggles

The Memphis Grizzlies could attempt to trade Marcus Smart due to the expedited development of several young players on the roster, according to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points.

"The emergence of Scotty Pippen Jr. and rookie Jaylen Wells has league personnel wondering if the Memphis Grizzlies would consider moving former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, sources said," Siegel wrote on Friday.

Smart has appeared in seven contests this season, averaging 7.4 points and 3.7 assists per game while shooting just 30.0 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from three-point range.

He was present at the start of the regular season before missing six games due to an ankle sprain suffered against the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 30. He was eventually able to return, but he's been sidelined for Memphis' past three contests due to an illness.

A lack of availability has defined Smart's tenure with the Grizzlies since he was acquired by the organization in a June 2023 three-team trade with the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards.

He appeared in just 20 games during his 2023-24 campaign, suffering a finger injury in a Jan. 9 game that kept him out for the remainder of the regular season.

Smart is under contract through the 2025-26 season and will earn $21.6 million in the final year of his current deal. Siegel noted that Memphis could utilize his salary slot in a trade "to add another high-profile player" next to star point guard Ja Morant.

While injuries and inconsistent perimeter shooting have made Smart's Grizzlies career fall below expectations, an opposing front office could still see upside in the 30-year-old. He won his first Defensive Player of the Year honor in 2022 with the Celtics and averaged 14.5 points per game during his injury-shortened inaugural season in Memphis.

The Grizzlies currently own a 9-7 record, an impressive feat considering Morant has missed their past seven games with a hamstring injury.

If Memphis is searching for another impact player to pair with the lead guard as well as Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, Smart could be on the move.