| Reinventing The Grizzwheelies Authored by Ryan Bennett - June 25, 2005 - 5:47 am

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The Memphis Grizzlies had a great season by anyone’s standards, although some people seem to think that the Grizzlies could have done better. The one area were the Grizzlies could have done better is managing their escalating salaries. Sure the Grizz have a nice deep team, but they lack a draw card player in a great basketball city.
All the rumours I have heard about the Grizzlies focus on trades. It doesn’t look like many of the same faces will be back this coming season. The team are very publicly trying to sell the #19 draft pick for $3 million cash, Bonzi Wells and Jason Williams have been seriously shopped. All the young free agent big men have had their respective teams come out and say that they will resign their respective players, Dalembert, Chandler, Curry etc. Stromile Swift seems to be the exception. The Grizzlies have a lot of good players, and should be able to take back draft picks in return for them. Earl Watson will not be resigned.
All right, lets kick off the Grizzlies trading bonanza! All players must go! Bargain basement prices!
Trade 1
Memphis trades:
Stromile Swift
Jason Williams
Shane Battier
2007 unprotected first rounder
Atlanta trades:
Jason Collier
First Round Pick# 2
This makes a lot of sense for both teams. Atlanta doesn’t really have anyone to take at number, its Andrew Bogut they want and it is almost a certainty that the Bucks draft him. If he slips to the Hawks, they wont trade the pick. Stromile Swift gives the Hawks a legit inside presence, and the addition of Jason Williams gives the Hawks one of the more interesting teams in the league. The Grizzlies can use the #2 pick on Marvin Williams or Gerald Green. One of these guys are sure to get Memphis fans interested in basketball.
Trade 2
Memphis trades:
Bonzi Wells
Jake Tsakalidis
First Round Pick# 19
LA Clippers trade:
Marko Jaric
+ $3 million
Check out:
http://clippers.realgm.com/articles/23/20050624/clippers_wear_the_pants_in_la/ for an analysis of this trade.
Trade 3
Memphis tradea:
Lorenzen Wright
Denver trades:
Second Round Pick# 52
Future first rounder (unprotected)
Lorenzen Wright is unhappy. What better way to please him than by moving him to Denver to back up Camby and Martin? The Nuggets get another big presence down low and the Nuggets use up their cap space. (if they cant lure any of the big name free agent guards)
Trade 4
Memphis trade:
Pau Gasol
New York trade:
Penny Hardaway
Trevor Ariza
First Round Pick #8
Isiah Thomas supposedly offered Jerry West Penny Hardaway straight up for Pau Gasol, well Isiah here’s the deal. Give up some young unproven talent too, and your draft pick. Gasol is a proven player in the league. An expiring deal will not cut it because big men are hard to come by.
NBA Draft:
As previously mentioned the Grizzlies should seriously consider taking Marvin Williams with the 2nd pick of the draft, and then use the 8th pick (acquired from New York) for either Channing Frye or Raymond Felton, whoever is available.
Look for them to take a big man with number 52.
The 05/06 Grizzlies:
C- Jason Collier/ (Pick 52)
F- Marvin Williams/ Brian Cardinal
F- Trevor Ariza
G- Raymond Felton/ Andre Emmett
G- Mike Miller/ Dahntay Jones/ Penny Hardaway
I can see this team picking up a free agent like Sean Marks along the way too. An unproven international star.
Contact Ryan at: ryanwbennett@gmail.com |