The Portland Trail Blazers stood pat over the trade deadline, and will be counting on camaraderie to take them over the top against the new-look Memphis Grizzlies tonight at home.
Memphis used the trade deadline as an opportunity to begin what seems to be a complete rebuild, sending former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz. In return, the Grizzlies took back rookie guard Walter Clayton Jr., second-year wing Taylor Hendricks, and two veterans in Kyle Anderson and Georges Niang (who was quickly waived), as well as three first-round picks. It’s entirely possible that the Grizzlies used this blockbuster deal as cover to conceal their real trade deadline splash: acquiring Eric Gordon (also subsequently waived) and a second-round pick.
In all seriousness, the Grizzlies are in a weird spot. Their current depth chart looks like the aftermath of a fantasy draft where you were the last pick and your buddy forgot to select “snake draft,” landing you Ja Morant and a bunch of other dudes. With an injury report to rival the Blazers’ earlier this season, those same “bunch of other dudes” will need to step up to deliver Memphis the victory tonight.
In terms of the on-court product, Memphis has had an up-and-down season. Second-year big man Zach Edey started off the year hot, averaging a double-double through 11 games before suffering a stress reaction in his left ankle, which required surgery. Ja Morant has been sidelined since January 24th with a UCL sprain in his left elbow. Prior to his injury, Morant was playing the worst basketball of his career, averaging 19.5 points on 41% shooting from the field and 23.5% from three. A mix of persistent injuries and unending off-court drama had many waiting for a Shams Charania deadline-day decree, one that would banish Morant to the Sacramento Kings. The tweet never came, and Morant – awkwardly – remains a Grizzly. Thus, Memphis leans on their youth.
Former Blazer (if only for a brief, brief moment) Cedric Coward has demonstrated competence and promise as a floor spacer, averaging 13.6 points on 46% shooting from the field. All-rookie Second Team selection Jaylen Wells continues to be a productive NBA player, as well. As a team, it’s anyone’s guess how the new-look Grizzlies will win games. Stylistically, the Grizzlies will be figuring themselves out. Hopefully the Blazers can exploit this soul-searching period and escape their current skid.
Wasn’t it nice to be .500 for a second?
The Blazers find themselves on a six-game losing streak and made only one transaction before the trade deadline elapsed, acquiring guard Vit Krejci from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for fan-favorite center Duop Reath and two second-round picks. Many Blazers fans were expressing their disapproval online. After all, it makes sense to want sweeping and radical change after witnessing less-than-stellar basketball six games in a row. Joe Cronin, though, likely did the right thing in standing pat. Historically, the Cronin regime tends to engage in big transactions during the summer window. Deni Avdija was a draft-night trade. Jrue Holiday was acquired over the summer, as well. There is real value in letting a team ride it out through the season without massive disruptions to their identity. A move along the margins for a capable three-point shooter – like Krejci – is exactly what this current iteration of the Blazers needed. We can save the Giannis talk (please let it end) for June.
The Blazers have yet to waive or buy-out any of their current players to make room for Sidy Cissoko or Caleb Love. This situation is further complicated by the return of Scoot Henderson (hooray!), who makes an already confusing rotation even more difficult to manage. The Blazers suddenly have all the point guards, muddying Love’s current role. I do not envy Joe Cronin, and I hope he doesn’t have Twitter.
The Blazers simply need to regain some mojo. After ramping up their offensive efficiency and clawing their way back to an even record, the pendulum has swung very, very far in the other direction. A depleted, novel Grizzlies squad is the perfect opponent for the Blazers to regain some confidence.
Portland Trail Blazers (23-28) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (20-29) – Fri. Feb 6 – 7pm Pacific
How to watch via antenna or cable: See your options on the Rip City Television Network.
How to watch via streaming: BlazerVision in Oregon and Washington; League Pass or NBA TV everywhere else.
Trail Blazers injuries: Damian Lillard, Kris Murray, Mattise Thybulle, Deni Avdija (Out).
Grizzlies injuries: Santi Aldama, Scotty Pippen Jr., Ty jerome, Zach Edey, Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke (Out).
SCOOOOOT. Scoot Henderson should return tonight! In what will likely be a heavily minute-restricted first outing, look for Scoot to bring stability to the offense. The Blazers’ new abundance of ball-handlers should help reduce Portland’s league-leading 17 turnovers per game. That said, Scoot Henderson has previously displayed a penchant for turnovers himself, so be wary.
