The Memphis Grizzlies did not sit idly by this offseason after their crushing first-round loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. They substantially improved the roster, but how they did so offers fascinating insights into the future of the franchise.
The Grizzlies made their biggest trade since the July 2019 Mike Conley deal, finally using some future draft capital and Tyus Jones’ expiring contract to acquire a necessary wing defender and playmaker in Marcus Smart.
The 29-year-old is a fantastic fit for all the reasons spelled out here, yet he is not the splashy addition many Grizzlies fans yearned for like, say, OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges.