Grizzlies make another baffling trade decision.
The Memphis Grizzlies made a crucial move to strengthen their squad for the second half of the 2024–25 season, despite not having the most thrilling NBA trade deadline. In a three-team trade that included Johnny Davis, Marvin Bagley III, a 2025 Wizards second-round pick, and a 2028 Kings second-round pick, Marcus Smart was traded to the Washington Wizards.
During the later stages of Thursday’s events, it was revealed on NBA Today by Bob Myers that the Grizzlies had reportedly made an effort to trade for 36-year-old forward Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns.
“They tried on Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler.” The issue is that those individuals said no, and I hate to say that,” Myers stated.
What a splash it would have made if the Grizzlies could have worked out a deal to add a superstar like Durant to the No. 2 club in the Eastern Conference during a week when the league witnessed one of the most unexpected moves in history. Naturally, Durant remained with the Suns, as he had one more season left on his deal. Grizzlies make another baffling trade decision.
Did Kevin Durant have a chance with the Grizzlies?
It makes sense that Memphis would also be subtly making calls, even though the majority of the rumors circling Durant prior to the trade deadline were more concerned with a Golden State Warriors reunion or the 14-time All-Star team joining forces with Anthony Edwards and a Western Conference contender in the Minnesota Timberwolves. Grizzlies make another baffling trade decision.
However, Durant’s apparent lack of interest in joining the Grizzlies probably stopped any more progress on a trade transaction.
Memphis sits second in the West with a record of 35-16. Knowing that the Grizzlies were searching the trade market for another wing, or stretch-four, Durant would have fit right in with the team’s mainstays, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Ja Morant.
