We are now past the NBA trade deadline and the Grizzlies’ roster looks different than it did eight days ago. Steven Adams, Xavier Tillman and David Roddy, three influential players on and off the court, are gone. Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman spoke to media about his vision for the Grizzlies future.
“We want to be in a position whether it is draft or trade to put this team in a position to really go out and compete at the highest level," Grizzlies General Manager, Zach Kleiman said. "I think it is a window of contention that the age of our key guys are beginning to enter their prime. We are excited to do everything we can to capitalize on that.”
So far, Kleiman has taken steps towards strengthening the roster by trading Adams, Roddy and Tillman, essentially for assets. Kleiman also signed standouts Vince Williams Jr and GG Jackson to multi-years deals.
These moves were made in preparation for next season.
Memphis acquired 5 second round draft picks, a first round pick-swap and four players, two of which, Chimezie Metu and Victor Oladipo have already been waived to free up cap space and roster space.
With these assets Memphis have the ability to trade up in this year’s draft or trade their pick in a package deal for a big-name players.
“We are not going to be locked into a position with that pick for example, we want to see It is a unique asset for a team that has the talent that we have'" Kleiman said. "We want to see where that is, where the players stand put at that point of the draft and what trade possibilities there. From there we will figure out the next steps.”
Memphis currently sit 13th in the Western Conference and have a chance to get a top ten pick.
Kleiman said the team’s record will not affect whether key players get game or not in the final three months of the season.
“We want to make sure that our guys are going to be in a position to be fully healthy, and obviously, we want the group to hit the ground running next season," Kleiman said. "We will take those decisions a day at a time, a week at a time. We will be smart with those decisions, but the decisions won’t be made based on the record.”