Goodbye to Tyus and hello to Marcus 👋🏀

I knew that the Memphis Grizzlies would be making some big moves this offseason and they certainly did not wait long. Just a week after the NBA Finals concluded, a blockbuster trade between the Grizzlies/Celtics/Wizards happened.

The trade looks like this for the three teams...

Celtics receive:

Kristaps Porziņģis (via Wizards)
No. 25 pick in 2023 Draft (via Grizzlies)
2024 first-round pick (top-four protected, via Warriors)

Grizzlies receive:

Marcus Smart (via Celtics)

Wizards receive:

Tyus Jones (via Grizzlies)
Danilo Gallinari (via Celtics)
Mike Muscala (via Celtics)
No. 35 pick in 2023 Draft (via Celtics)

^{Full trade details are available on NBA.com}

As you can see, the only thing the Grizzlies got out of the deal was Marcus Smart, and yet I think they got the best player out of everyone involved. Sure they don't have a first-round pick in the draft this year now, but getting a lockdown defender like Smart is a big win. Don't get me wrong, I love Tyus Jones a lot and I think he deserves to have a starting role somewhere. He had high trade value and I'm so glad they didn't waste that on an old injury-prone player like Chris Paul. Plus the Grizzlies will be losing Dillon Brooks this offseason, so getting somebody like Smart to replace that hard-nosed defending that Brooks brought is huge.

The Celtics knew they needed to bolster their available big men. If that meant getting rid of their point guard and former defensive player of the year Smart, so be it. They ended up landing Porziņģis from the Wizards. As long as he can stay healthy, he is a solid defender, can score in the paint, and even is capable of draining some threes. Making a move like this certainly means it's championship or bust for the Celtics next season. Once those supermax contracts kick in for Tatum and Brown, some major changes will have to be made to the roster.

The Wizards seem to be in rebuilding mode. They traded away their two best players in Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porziņģis. I have a feeling they will also be trading Chris Paul back out west someplace. My bet is on the Lakers or Clippers.

The offseason is barely underway and already we have major changes happening to teams around the league. I look forward to seeing what else happens this summer and fall until we finally reach the beginning of the regular season in October.

Comment below if you have any thoughts on the latest trade in the NBA. I'm obviously happy with what the Grizzlies have decided to do. Smart is going to get a lot of playing time while Morant is out. They can figure out how Ja/Bane/Smart can comingle later in the season. I have high hopes for another great year for the Grizz.

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