NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 Conley or Gasol trades the Grizzlies have to consider

1. Jusuf Nurkic, Moe Harkless, Ed Davis, Jake Layman and Portland’s 2018 first rounder to Memphis; Marc Gasol and James Ennis to Portland

This trade would offer some exciting options for both sides, especially for the perpetually frustrating Trail Blazers. Although Portland is competing for the playoffs in the West, the team has been inconsistent all season. While the Blazers have surprisingly performed at a top-ten level on defense, the team’s usually blistering offense has fallen apart. Ball movement and shot efficiency have been major issues; with few reliable shooters on the roster, scrunched spacing has stalled the offense. Adding Gasol, who’s still an excellent passer and creator from the elbows could rejuvenate the broken Blazers attack. For Gasol personally, playing with two deadly shooters like Lillard and McCollum could also open up easier looks for him. That would almost certainly increase his plummeting efficiency.

James Ennis could solve some of Portland’s issues on the wing. In almost all of its lineups, Portland doesn’t play anyone that is a legit two-way guy at the three spot. Ennis is a sturdy wing defender that has shot the 3-pointer at 36 percent over the past two years, just a hair above the league average rate. Compared to what Evan Turner and Moe Harkless provide as long range shooters though, league average would be a big improvement.

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From Memphis’ perspective the trade would obviously hurt the team in the short run, but open up some long-term possibilities. The Grizzlies would presumably secure a top pick in this year’s draft and then Portland’s 2018 pick would either be in the low lottery or fall just outside. Over the past few years we’ve seen picks in the middle of the first round produce some awesome players. In addition, the Grizzlies would get some tangible young talent in the form of Jusuf Nurkic. He’s entering restricted free agency this summer and with teams struggling to duck the tax all over the league he might not have a robust market. In that case Memphis could bring him back at a reasonable price.