Memphis Grizzlies seek to add Luol Deng, among others

By Cory Buck | Jan 8, 2015

Dec 27, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Tayshaun Prince (21) shoots over Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The Memphis Grizzlies are reportedly looking to bolster their wing rotation by adding Luol Deng in advance of the February 19th deadline.

Caught in the middle of a heated Western Conference playoff race, the Memphis Grizzlies know they can’t afford to lose ground as the rest of the conference bulks up for the second half of the season. That’s why they’re reportedly hot on the trading trail in search of one of several potential trade targets. The two biggest names emerging, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein, are Luol Deng of the Miami Heat and Jeff Green of the Boston Celtics.

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Both the Heat and the Celtics are mired in the purgatorial middle ground of the Eastern Conference with dim title aspirations, which makes them ideal trade partners for a team like Memphis. Unlike the Celtics and Heat, the Grizzlies are looking to go all-in on a playoff run in a league that looks as wide open as it’s been since LeBron James made for Miami.

In Deng, the team is hoping to find some help on both sides of the ball. Deng signed a two-year, $19 million deal in the offseason with Miami after James left the team, but Stein notes there’s no indication on whether Deng would welcome a trade or not. Given Miami’s record, it’s hard to believe Deng wouldn’t welcome a little upgrade in supporting cast.

Jeff Green could prove to be even less open to a trade, based on previous quotes. When the recently traded Rajon Rondo returned to the Boston at the helm of his new team, the Dallas Mavericks, Green said he didn’t “want to know how that feels because I don’t want to be traded.”

Still, players says these things because that’s what comes naturally to them. If either Deng or Green got the chance to vault up and play for a legitimate title contender, one who’d grow stronger with their arrival, it’s hard to imagine either player complaining.

If the Grizz want either player, they’ll likely have to cough up future assets as the Heat are short on such and the Celtics have made it clear that’s what they want, as evidenced by the deal that sent Rondo to the Mavericks, which netted them two draft picks along with a few players.

The picks are what Boston covets as they look to rebuild a roster that’s recovering from the loss of its Big Three, as well as its star point guard, and the Grizzlies are surely sifting through their own cupboards, mentally parting ways with this and that in preparation of making a big offer and fortify their roster.

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