Los Angeles improves the PF position while MEM moves on from Clarke

TRADE

• LAC: Brandon Clarke.

• MEM: Mo Bamba, PJ Tucker, 2031 1st round lottery protected.

GOALS

• MEM: I have no idea what the Grizzlies are going to do this year, both on the court and in terms of transactions. I could see them looking at this as a bit of an evaluation year, as it’s been more than a year since we saw this team all together and now they’ve got a few different pieces. On the other hand, this is a team that was a contender two years ago and thinks it should bounce back to that status this season. If they are not playing at the level they want by the deadline, I could see them looking at their options. Clarke is an intriguing player, but his fit with this current Grizzlies roster isn’t crystal clear. There are a lot of things he is good at, but for what this Memphis team needs, I’m not sure he’s the best fit being a 6’8 rim protecting power forward that doesn’t space the floor. As such, if they decide they need to find more shooting and floor-spacing, Clarke could be an intriguing option for a team that could use his talents as a lob threat and help-side defender more than Memphis, provided he shows he’s back close to full strength coming off an Achilles injury.

• LAC: That's their last run for a over 50% season and they need to improve.