3 teams who could trade for Myles Turner after Deandre Ayton offer sheet

3. The Memphis Grizzlies trade for Myles Turner

The most recent No. 2 seed in the Western Conference has had a peculiar offseason for a team that is supposed to be a title contender. The lack of transactions to improve the roster traditionally (signing and/or trading for veterans to strengthen depth or be a starter) and instead adding even more young talent via the draft and rookie free agency hasn’t gone unnoticed among Grizzlies fans or media types. But the timeline of Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman and philosophy will not be compromised for anyone, and the reigning Executive of the Year in the NBA probably deserves the benefit of the doubt.

He has, however, been quoted as saying Memphis has been making calls to teams exploring trade possibilities. Kleiman just won’t make a move for movement’s sake though. And Myles Turner, while an intriguing player due to his age (26, a bit older than the current Memphis stars but not beyond their anticipated primes) and skill set (elite shot blocker that has never been below the 90th percentile in block percentage among NBA bigs, a career 35 percent 3-point shooter), is not a crystal clear fit with the Grizzlies.

He isn’t the strongest rebounder (61st and 32nd percentiles in defensive and offensive rebounding as his career bests in different seasons, for example) and he has only played in a combined 89 games over the last two seasons due to injury. Alongside Jaren Jackson Jr., a fellow perimeter-based big with strong shot-blocking talent and limited evidence for being a glass eater (never higher than 36th percentile in defensive rebounding), spacing would be impressive while the front court would possibly suffer on the glass.

Turner’s potentially discounted rate may turn the tide for Memphis, though. Steven Adams and a future first (a 2023 of the Grizzlies or the 2024 first from Golden State) as a framework may get the job done now that the Turner relationship might be frayed. Adams is comparable as a screener to Ayton and is also an expiring contract. Tyrese Haliburton and other Indiana guards would also benefit from the space Adams makes on his screens, as well as the fact that Adams can impact games without needing to score the basketball — Myles Turner has a career average usage rate of 19 percent, whereas Steven Adams hasn’t posted a usage higher that 12 percent since he left Oklahoma City.

Indiana’s youth movement would have plenty of chances to add offensive skills to their tool kit. If the Pacers want to help their young guards develop while gaining a draft asset for a big man they were prepared to move on from anyway, the Grizzlies may be the most logical team to do business with. The question is — does it make sense for what Memphis is trying to do “in the dark“?