As every Griz and Ja fan will tell you... Do NOT underestimate the impact of a top 25 player on any basketball team. Especially when that's the PG... The leader, the floor general, the maestro, the closer. Ja is essential to this team's integrity especially offensively. I believe in this roster. JJJ and Bane have showcased their talents individually the last 25 games and if it wasn't for some very serious and unfortunate injuries to other key roleplayers like Adams, Clarke, Aldama, and others.
Despite some abysmal displays offensively Memphis still ranks 12th in defensive rating! That's right... 12th! Only 3 points off from 5th. That's with the team lacking their center and identity. A true testament to JJJ who imo is a top 3 defender in the league, other individual defenders like Smart and Bane, but also Zac Taylor. Imo tho they could be ELITE rivaling Minnesota as one of the best defenses in the league but they need a little help. The new Dillon Brooks... in fact a better Brooks. RJ BARRETT.
Hunter is an elite perimeter defender and solid scorer who is young and repalces Brooks. He's also a better shooter than Brooks was. He's better offensively than Smart who will thrive as a 6 man. Caoela slots in as the perfect Adams replacement in recent years the Griz dominated the glass on both sides of the ball because of their hustle and Adams elite rebounding and blackouts. Capela is easily a top 5 rebounder in the league and a better defender than Adams was. He'll help JJJ defending the rim and bring back a PNR partner for Ja.
The offense still needs work. Ja doesn't help the shooting tremendously on paper BUT same with Barrett he gets guys open looks. He creates space with his speed and penetration. With the offense flowing and defense wnot missing a beat Knochar and Kennard have more of use with less pressure defensively. Their usage and open looks should increase.
Grizzlies: PG. Ja
SG. Bane
SF. Hunter
PF. JJJ
C. Capela
Smart
Aldama
Kennard
Tillman Sr.
Biyombo
Rose
Konchar
Hawks: Two words. Fire. Power. That's what Markkanen provides. In this move Hawks double down on offense, can easily be the best offense in the league for the remainder of the season. Markkanen comes in as an elite shooter and rebounder who play on and off ball. Due to his shooting and size its hard to contest his shot adding to the spacing that will only make Trae and Murray's job easier.
Hawks Roster: PG. Trae
SG. Murray
SF. Johnson
PF. Markkanen
C. Okungwu
Bey
Brogadanovic
Olynyk
Griffin
Wesly Mathews
Mills
Garrison Mathews
Jazz: Clarke, Ziaire, and Roddy all have the potential to be the 5th best player on a playoff team down to a real good 7th man. All of them have that potential. They also get some two FRPs for a guy who's practically expiring that's a good return. Adams is an upgrade from Olynyk and this helps secure a a top 3 draft pick.
Jazz: PG. George
SG. Clarkson
SF. THT
PF. Collins
C. Kessler
Sexton
Z. Williams
Roddy
Agbaji
Fontechino
Hendricks
Dunn
Adams (hurt)
Clarke (hurt)