Ranking Grizzlies' Top Trade Targets After 2025 NBA Playoff Loss
The Memphis Grizzlies were a full-fledged NBA title contender until they weren't.
You only have to travel back to the end of February to find this squad seeded as high as second in the Western Conference, but everything unraveled shortly thereafter. Memphis had a losing record from the beginning of March, and the same skid that cost former coach Taylor Jenkins his job also sent this club to an ahead-of-schedule summer break.
With the Grizzlies now officially in offseason mode following a Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, it's time to load up the roster in ways to ensure this doesn't happen again. Well, that or take a blowtorch to it and start over. Given the success this group has enjoyed, though, loading up feels far more likely than tearing down, so we're highlighting—and ranking—the top three trade targets to make that happen.
3. Grant Williams, Charlotte Hornets
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While the Grizzlies' summer wish list could go any number of different directions, there's a decent chance that frontcourt flexibility becomes a focus. That seems especially likely if they don't bring Santi Aldama back from restricted free agency.
They have usable bigs, but they largely fit into well-defined roles. Zach Edey is a bruiser. Jay Huff is a stretch shooter. GG Jackson II is a quick-strike scorer. Brandon Clarke is one of the more versatile options, but that only matters if he starts doing a better job of avoiding the injury bug.
If Memphis wants another chess piece up front, Charlotte could have one for cheap. Grant Williams has mostly disappointed since inking a four-year, $53 million pact with the Dallas Mavericks in 2023, but he still offers the flexibility to line up anywhere in the frontcourt, boasts a sneakily deep bag of scoring tricks and, thanks to his time in Boston, already has 61 playoff games under his belt.
He plays with a certain kind of fire that could endear him to Grizzlies fans, and this coaching staff would appreciate his ability to both bang with opposing bigs and comfortably fire away from three. The fact he was salary-dumped onto the Hornets and is now recovering from a torn ACL means he should cost next to nothing in a deal.
2. Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota Timberwolves
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As long as Memphis is following Morant's lead, maximizing the spacing around him will be paramount to this team's success. The Grizzlies could stand to ramp up their three-point volume, though ideally they'd do that with someone who provides more than just perimeter shooting.
Someone like Donte DiVincenzo, maybe.
He is, first and foremost, a quantity-plus-quality shooter. Since the start of last season, he has averaged 3.2 three-pointers with a 40 percent splash rate. For context, Desmond Bane paced the Grizzlies this season with 2.4 triples. And among their 10 players who averaged at least three long-range attempts per game, only Luke Kennard and Jay Huff posted a 40-plus three-point percentage.
So, DiVincenzo's spacing would be a huge need-filler, but he could contribute in other ways, too. He'd also add secondary playmaking, a bit of off-the-dribble scoring, all kinds of hustle and respectable backcourt defense. And, depending on how Minnesota fares in the postseason, it's possible he's gettable, since the Wolves might need to shed money if they want to retain both Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
1. Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
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While second-round rookie Jaylen Wells was a revelation in Memphis this season, the Grizzlies still need more help on the wings. They just don't have enough wing-sized players who have something to contribute on both ends of the court.
That's probably why they were linked to Cameron Johnson ahead of the trade deadline. And since that itch went unscratched during trade season, it should surprise no one if the team gets tied to him again this summer.
He's a 6'8", 210-pound forward with a reliable three-ball, usable defensive versatility and more shot-creation than you'll find in a typical three-and-D swingman. His numbers were inflated this season by the lack of scoring support in Brooklyn, but he still deserves credit for finding his way to 18.8 points per night while also posting an efficient 47.5/39/89.3 shooting slash.
It seems clear that he won't be easily plucked away from the Nets, but at 29 years old, it's just as obvious he's not a timeline fit for a team that just lost 56 games. There should be a price point that makes sense for both Brooklyn and Memphis.
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