Trade Targets Who Would Keep Memphis Grizzlies in Title Hunt

According to Ron Higgins of The Commercial Appeal, the Memphis Grizzlies aren't done with the trade market. Per Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace, the Grizzlies are not ruling out the possibility of making another deal.

The question is, which trade targets would keep Memphis in the title hunt?

The Grizzlies made a financial statement when they traded Rudy Gay, Wayne Ellington and Marreese Speights. Gay was the franchise player, while Ellington and Speights were the first two reserves off of the bench.

With that being said, Memphis is not comfortable with saying their recent trades are the only ones they're willing to make.

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“It’s very possible [to make another deal] because we don’t have to include one of our players because of receiving trade assignments,” Wallace said at a press conference in the Grizzlies’ practice facility in FedExForum. “We now can be a team that can relieve a luxury-tax burden on another team. We can go someplace, see a player we like that’s out of a rotation and get him using this $7.5 million trade exception that’s good for the next 365 days. It’s a very valuable piece of real estate.”

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Indeed it is.

The Grizzlies have the money to make a deal and aid the need for improvement on offense. They rank 28th in scoring offense and last in three-point field goals per game.

The following players could help in said areas and create a stronger sense of legitimacy.

Will Bynum, Detroit Pistons

Position: Point Guard

Age: 30

Experience: Sixth Season

2012-13 Season Averages

15.77 PER, 17.6 MPG, 8.6 PPG, 3.5 APG, 1.2 RPG

As a part of the Rudy Gay trade, the Detroit Pistons acquired point guard Jose Calderon. In turn, their rotation became rather crowded.

With Calderon running point, room must be made for he, Brandon Knight, Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum.

It appears as if Bynum is bound to be the odd man out. If that is, in fact, the case, Memphis should look into a second trade with the Pistons.

Bynum could be the cure to their second-unit point guard woes.

Bynum is one of the quickest and most deceiving ball-handlers in the NBA. This is a major reason he has been one of the league's top second-unit facilitators in the league.

Assuming Detroit is willing to part ways with their veteran, Bynum and his expiring contract could be exactly what Memphis needs to solidify their second unit.

Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings

Position: Guard

Age: 23

Experience: Fourth Season

2012-13 Season Averages

18.62 PER, 15.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.4 SPG

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Memphis Grizzlies were hoping to acquire Tyreke Evans when they traded Rudy Gay.

While there's no denying that a deal has become much more difficult with Gay out of the equation, never say never.

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As for Evans? Word is the Grizzlies would have loved to acquire him as part of the big trade that sent Gay away, but the Kings really aren't in a position to take on salary as they await clarification on who'll be buying the team from the Maloof brothers.

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If there is a way to get this done, Memphis should do it.

The Grizzlies rank 28th in the NBA in scoring offense. A major reason for this truth is their lack of an offensive playmaker.

Evans could step in and fill such a role.

Evans is presently averaging 15.4 points per game on a slash line of .477/.383/.773. Although his supporting numbers continue to decline, the Kings' misuse of Evans is undeniable.

Acquiring the former Rookie of the Year would create an offensive dynamic that Memphis has lacked since O.J. Mayo's second season.

J.J. Redick, Orlando Magic

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 28

Experience: Seventh Season

2012-13 Season Averages

16.76 PER, 15.4 PPG, 4.4 APG, 2.5 RPG, 40.5% 3PT

Thus far in 2012-13, the Memphis Grizzlies rank 24th in three-point field goal percentage and last in three-point field goals made per game.

From an individual standpoint, Orlando Magic shooting guard J.J. Redick ranks fifth in three-point field goals while shooting 40.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Seems like a pretty logical move, does it not?

For those concerned that this is a fluke performance, temper your expectations of failure. Redick is a career 40.1 percent three-point shooter and is only getting better as the season progresses.

During the month of January, Redick averaged 17.5 points per game on a slash line of .497/.467/.875.

This is the type of player the Grizzlies need to remain in contention, as their perimeter shooting is weak, at best.

Redick would help space the floor for Memphis' elite bigs and improve the NBA's 28th ranked scoring offense.

For those who don't believe this deal could be done, Marc Stein of ESPN reports that Redick is the player "most likely to be dealt."

Memphis sounds like a nice place for relocation.

Nate Robinson, Chicago Bulls

Position: Point Guard

Age: 28

Experience: Eighth Season

2012-13 Season Averages

18.16 PER, 22.0 MPG, 11.5 PPG, 3.8 APG, 2.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG

When Derrick Rose returns from injury, the Chicago Bulls will have a decision to make in reference to the services of Nate Robinson and Kirk Hinrich.

Chances are, the Bulls are going to go with the player that is a veteran within their organization: Hinrich.

This leaves Robinson as a potential trade piece, which is something Memphis should explore. After all, Lil' Nate has an expiring contract and is the definition of the term "instant offense."

With the second unit lacking any form of shooting or scoring, passing up on this opportunity would be obscene.

K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune reported in December that Robinson was well-aware of his unclear future with the Bulls. This was in reference to his non-guaranteed contract, although it has become guaranteed in 2013.

Even still, Robinson has an expiring contract worth just $1,146,337.

Robinson is presently averaging 11.5 points on 38.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc. He's doing so in just 22.0 minutes per game.

Memphis needs second unit scoring and Robinson would provide just that. So what's the hesitation?

Jason Terry, Boston Celtics

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 35

Experience: 14th Season

2012-13 Season Averages

12.05 PER, 10.0 PPG, 2.3 APG, 1.9 RPG, 35.6% 3PT

Outside of established veterans Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince, the Memphis Grizzlies are rather thin along the perimeter.

Austin Daye is a quality athlete and occasionally hot shooter, but he's re-defining the term "streaky." Tony Wroten Jr., meanwhile, is a rookie with an under-developed mid-range game.

By acquiring Jason Terry, Memphis would put an end to that weakness.

Terry is an elite three-point shooter with a championship ring from the 2011 NBA season. This makes him the perfect candidate to work alongside Tony Allen at the 2.

With that being said, this trade is dependent upon the Boston Celtics deciding that "blowing it all up" is the way to go.

With both Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger out for the season, that could be the case.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, Terry would be one of the first to go.

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There's a rising expectation among some of Ainge's peers that Boston will instead try to move out at least one member of the Brandon Bass/Jason Terry/Courtney Lee trio before the deadline to make getting under the luxury-tax threshold his February focus.

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If that's the case, Memphis could be the team best fit for Terry's services.

Unfortunately, Terry's average of $5,225,000 per year could be tough to swallow. If Boston were willing to eat some of the salary and the numbers matched up, however, Memphis has a deal worth making.

That is, if they're willing to spend any money at all.