Fansided

NBA Trade Deadline 2019: 10 players who could use a change of scenery

By Ian Levy

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 29: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards sit on the bench during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena on December 29, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 29: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards sit on the bench during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena on December 29, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 18: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlie and Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 18, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 18: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlie and Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 18, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies

Let’s just rip the band-aid off.

Gasol and Conley are the best and most important players in franchise history but even now, with both of them healthy, the Grizzlies have the second-worst record in the Western Conference and are staring down a second consecutive lottery appearance, breaking a streak of seven playoff appearances in a row.

Conley and Gasol have defined a decade of basketball in Memphis but things aren’t working and it’s almost certainly going to get worse before it gets better. It’s hard to part with a franchise-altering star when they still have good basketball to play but it’s even harder to hang onto them too long, watching the memories erode right in front of you. Better to send them out now, lock all the good times away in the old gray matter vault and start thinking about what comes next.

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