Memphis Grizzlies: Grizzlies Land Dexter Pittman in Deal with Heat

The NBA trade deadline frenzy is over. Teams around the league made several deals, although it was quiet overall compared to past years. Memphis, who already made a big change in trading Rudy Gay to Toronto, secured Miami Heat center Dexter Pittman to bolster their frontline.

The exchange was confirmed by Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears in a tweet shortly before the deadline. The Grizzlies also received a future second-round pick, giving up the rights to Puerto Rican big man Ricky Sanchez. The forward/center was drafted in 2005, however, he has not yet played in the NBA.

This was a move to clear roster space for Miami, and Memphis receives a solid big man in return. Pittman has never shown much promise, however, he has never really had a chance.

The 6'11" center has averaged 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds for his career, playing in just 41 games over his three seasons with the Heat. Pittman received just 7.9 minutes per game in that same stretch, yet should receive a larger role with the Grizzlies.

It may not be all that enlarged from what he received with Miami, but Pittman will be the fourth-string big man off the bench. With solid frontcourt players like Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Ed Davis and Darrell Arthur, Pittman's inclusion will be as an inside presence in garbage time.

Whether or not Memphis sees something in Pittman remains to be seen, however, he had a strong showing in the NBA Development League this season. If he receives a larger role, he has shown the capability to put forth solid production.

It remains unclear which direction the organization is headed, as the team traded core players to clear salaries. Pittman won't make a huge impact, yet he is a complimentary piece to stabilize the roster.

All statistics sourced from espn.com/nba/statistics.