MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Memphis uses the TPE which they gained after trading Steven Adams to the Rockets to acquire Robert Williams III from the Trail Blazers. To acquire Robert Williams III, the Grizzlies give up their 2025 first-rounder and a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. After Memphis drafts their small forward of the future with their top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, acquiring the optimal frontcourt partner to pair alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. from a rebounding and post presence standpoint (offensively and defensively) are paramount to the Grizzlies. Robert Williams III addresses this, and he fits perfectly in Memphis and checks all boxes which the Grizzlies need in the frontcourt going forward as he is on an affordable two year deal and fits the timeline in Memphis. Robert Williams III can be a quality rim-protector, shot-blocker, and rebounder alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. to maximize the amount of frontcourt defense in Memphis and can be the athletic rim-running center which Ja Morant needs long-term. In comparison to Ja Morant's previous centers in Jonas Valanciunas and Steven Adams, Robert Williams III is far more athletic and younger, and as a result, he should fit better with Ja Morant from a playstyle and timeline standpoint long-term in Memphis. After making this trade, the Grizzlies have the following starting lineup to open the 2024-25 NBA season, if they draft Matas Buzelis, for example, in the 2024 NBA Draft:
Ja Morant - Desmond Bane - Matas Buzelis - Jaren Jackson Jr. - Robert Williams III
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
For Robert Williams III, Portland receives a first-rounder in the 2025 NBA Draft and can maximize their own pick in the 2025 NBA Draft in tandem with adding a 2025 first-rounder and a second-round pick in the upcoming draft in 2024. This trade helps the Trail Blazers build for the future. Like the Grizzlies, Portland should also have a high lottery pick in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft. Their goal will be to optimally build around Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Although Anfernee Simons is Portland's starting point guard, optimizing the Scoot Henderson - Shaedon Sharpe duo is Portland's ultimate goal. Whomever the Trail Blazers draft in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft, and the 2025 NBA Draft (the Trail Blazers could be players for Cooper Flagg come next year), should ideally complement Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Portland should build for the future. The Trail Blazers will likely go with the following starting lineup barring trades until Scoot Henderson emerges as Portland's starting point guard:
Anfernee Simons - Shaedon Sharpe - Matisse Thybulle - Jerami Grant - Deandre Ayton
In the future, this could likely be Portland’s starting lineup, although Portland likely drafts a better SF than Thybulle:
Scoot Henderson - Shaedon Sharpe - Matisse Thybulle - Cooper Flagg - Deandre Ayton
The Grizzlies gain a center. Portland builds for the future.