#9: Detroit Pistons trade Jalen Duren and Marcus Sasser to the Grizzlies for GG Jackson and the 9th pick
I’m not sure the Grizzlies would trade Jackson straight up for Duren at this point after the way Jackson exploded onto the scene last season.
But this trade gives them more depth and a high-end center prospect in Duren who is a nice fit with Jaren Jackson Jr., who reportedly wants to move back to power forward.
JJJ is the type of rim protector and floor spreader who would allow the Grizzlies to run two bigs and Duren would be a weapon in the pick-and-roll with Morant with another big man spacing the floor.
The Grizzlies are ready to compete now and don’t need their draft pick, so they toss it in to get a cheaper shooter in Sasser who can replace Kennard and open up some cap space for Memphis to make further improvements.
It would be hard for them to give up on two prospects (Jackson and the pick), but they are getting more of a sure thing with Duren, who played his college ball in Memphis.
If Jackson was too much, would the Grizzlies trade the 9th pick straight up for Duren? That would be a tough call for Detroit, as Duren is only 20 and already a double-double machine.