The Memphis Grizzlies’ 2023–24 NBA season was quite difficult. The Grizzlies suffered a significant setback and finished just 27-55 last season after winning more than 50 games the year before for a variety of reasons.
Priorities included Ja Morant’s lengthy preseason suspension and, of course, the injuries.
Marcus Smart and the Memphis Grizzlies to Split Apart?
In 2024, the Grizzlies were rewarded with the ninth choice in the NBA Draft for all their hard work. According to Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, the Grizzlies might trade that pick to the Houston Rockets in return for Jae’Sean Tate, Jock Landale, and the third overall pick, along with Marcus Smart, the former winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Grizzlies may have a good chance of selecting two-time NCAA champion Donovan Clingan, a two-season UConn Huskie, with that third pick.
“If Memphis thinks Clingan can start right away, it may be a large enough prize to push Marcus Smart—who the Grizzlies would not want playing next to Ja Morant—up the draft board. While Memphis might not think highly of Jae’Sean Tate, he could work his way into a rotation spot, Jock Landale would only be a salary-filler.
Clingan was a key member of the Huskies’ winning teams in their consecutive NCAA Tournament trips. In the long run, he should be an improvement over Jock Landale and provides the Grizzlies’ frontcourt, which already includes Jaren Jackson Jr., with a ton of upside.
Clingan played for the Huskies for two seasons, averaging 9.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and 64.5 percent shooting from the field per game.
