Memphis Grizzlies Give up on Marcus Smart to Land 2-Time Champion in Stunning 2024 NBA Draft Day Trade Scenario

Memphis Grizzlies to Part Ways With Marcus Smart?

For all their troubles, the Grizzlies got the ninth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report floated the idea of the Grizzlies trading that pick along with former Defensive Player of the Year award winner Marcus Smart to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jae’Sean Tate, Jock Landale, and the third pick overall. With that third pick, the Grizzlies could be very much in play to land two-time NCAA champion Donovan Clingan, who played for two seasons with the UConn Huskies.

“If Memphis views Clingan as a capable starter, that might be a big enough prize to leap up the draft board at the expense of Marcus Smart, who might not be the shooting threat the Grizzlies want playing alongside Ja Morant. Jock Landale would strictly be a salary-filler, and while Memphis may not view Jae’Sean Tate as much more than that, he could hustle his way into a rotation role.”

Clingan was a force for the Huskies during their back-to-back title runs in the NCAA Tournament. He offers a tremendous upside for the Grizzlies’ frontcourt that already has Jaren Jackson Jr and should be an upgrade over Jock Landale in the long run.

In two seasons with the Huskies, Clingan averaged 9.8 points, 6.4 rebuonds, and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 64.5 percent from the field.