Rather than trading for a Jimmy Butler rental, the Grizzlies could fortify/upgrade multiple positions of need for the postseason with players whose value will likely grow over the next couple years due to their contracts. The Cam Johnson is an obvious fit for the Grizzlies that has been talked about endlessly. Meanwhile, Nic Claxton gives the Grizzlies a solid reliable center for the playoffs this season. As it stands, they will be reliant on a rookie Zach Edey (who has played really well but is still learning and improving and makes little mistakes that you can’t have in the playoffs), JJJ (who doesn’t rebound well), and Jay Huff (who is just not a playoff caliber player). The defensive fit of Claxton next to JJJ would be elite and let’s not forget he played AAU ball with Ja. As Edey improves over the years, Claxton’s role and minutes may decrease, however, his contract also decreases so he could become a valuable trade-able contract down the line.

Meanwhile, for the Nets, they get the future draft capital they’re looking for, plus, they acquire other valuable contracts like Smart, Clarke, and Konchar who they could flip for even more value down the line. I could see the Grizzlies having to add a young guy like Jake Laravia to give the Nets a young upside asset.