Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman started a conversation at the end of the season that will continue until the team has acquired another big man.
Kleiman said Memphis will be in the market for a center this offseason, whether that be through the NBA draft or another scenario. A recent ESPN story suggested Memphis add its next starting center via a notable trade.
ESPN’s Chris Herring suggested the Grizzlies trade for New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson to help fortify the frontcourt. Herring’s main reason for acquiring Robinson? Offensive rebounding.
“Acquiring a boardsman and lob threat like Robinson would be a solid step toward building the Grizzlies back into what they were before last season’s injury-marred mess,” Herring wrote.
Trading for a player like Robinson would have sounded far-fetched just a few months ago. Not only did the Grizzlies have Xavier Tillman Sr. and Steven Adams, but Robinson was the anchor on a Knicks team where he’s been a starter the past four seasons.
However, things have changed drastically on both ends. Robinson’s latest bout with injuries led to the emergence of Knicks backup center Isaiah Hartenstein, who is also due a payday this offseason. In Memphis, Adams was traded to the Rockets, and Tillman is preparing for the NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics after a February trade.
Why Mitchell Robinson to Memphis makes sense
Adams is widely regarded around the NBA as arguably one of the strongest players in the league, and he even acknowledged that “dude’s really good” when he was asked about Robinson two seasons ago. Rebounding has been an essential strength of the Grizzlies during the Taylor Jenkins era until this season. Adding a dominant glass presence like Robinson will allow Jaren Jackson Jr. to slide back to his natural power forward position and terror defenses as a roamer while Robinson protects the basket and cleans the glass. It’s not hard seeing Memphis jumping back into the top tier of the West with this move.
Why Mitchell Robinson to Grizzlies doesn’t make sense
Memphis dealt with a boatload of injuries this season. As talented as he is, Robinson may not be the guy you want to add in that case. The talented center has only eclipsed 70 games once in his six-year career. He played 31 games this season and totaled just 59 in the previous campaign. Adams was durable and reliable before the injury. So was Jonas Valanciunas before him. Memphis can’t afford to pay an oft-injured big man.
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What would it take for Grizzlies to trade for Mitchell Robinson?
Robinson has two years left on a four-year deal he signed with an average salary of $15 million per season. According to Spotrac, Robinson is scheduled to make $14.3 million next season in the de-escalating deal. Between Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart, the Grizzlies have two proven players at positions of depth who could potentially be swapped out for Robinson. Is losing a premier 3-pointer shooter like Kennard or an elite defensive wing like Smart worth fixing the frontcourt issues? That’s what the decision would come down to.
