2024 NBA Draft Rumors: Grizzlies Have Offered 'As Many as 3' Picks to Move into Top 5
June 26, 2024
The Memphis Grizzlies have reportedly been attempting to move a large amount of draft capital to move up in the 2024 NBA draft.
According to Matt Moore of Action Network, the Grizzlies have offered "as many as three picks" with protections to move up into the top five range. Moore noted that Memphis will try the "hardest" to make a deal with the Houston Rockets, owners of the No. 3 overall selection.
The Grizzlies currently hold the No. 9 pick.
Per Moore, Memphis has been "linked" to UConn center Donovan Clingan throughout the pre-draft process and could target him in the event of a trade.
Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman hasn't been shy regarding the team's desire to add a center in the offseason.
"I envision we'll add at least one big," Kleiman said on April 15, per Damichael Cole of the the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "Whether that's a starting big or a rotation big, I think we have some work to do on the roster there."
"We're not trying to hide the ball on that," he added.
The Grizzlies would need to move up in order to add Clingan, as he's not expected to be available once Memphis is on the clock if the team stands pat. In the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman, the former Huskies big was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the No. 5 pick.
"Donovan Clingan figures to be a trade-up target, specifically for the Memphis Grizzlies who pick at No. 9," Wasserman wrote.
The Grizzlies have been adept at identifying talent in the first round, as their core of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. were all added by the team during previous drafts.
Clingan could be the next homegrown player for Memphis, although Kleiman may need to add even more draft picks or remove some protections in his next attempt to trade up.
