NBA Trade Rumors: 3 Players the Grizzlies need to trade away

The Memphis Grizzlies made an excellent start to the 2018/19 NBA season, and back in November, the team were among the leaders in the Western Conference. Nevertheless, the Grizzlies have won just three of their last twenty games and currently sit 14th in the Western Conference standings.

Memphis' current record of 19-29 puts them eight games back from the Western Conference playoff places, and the prospect of a postseason appearance is quickly fading. If Memphis finishes outside of the playoff places, it will mark the second consecutive season that the team has missed the postseason, and the franchise will be aware that major changes to the roster are needed.

Some of these changes could also come before the end of the season, as reports have stated that the franchise is already turning their attention to the 19/20 campaign. So with a number of players likely to leave the team in the next two weeks, here we will look at three players that the Grizzlies should trade away.

#3 Garrett Temple

Just like the Memphis Grizzlies, Garrett Temple started the season in great form but has since dropped off. The 32-year-old has scored double figures in just one of his last ten appearances, and Temple continues to struggle when shooting from the field.

The Grizzlies have this season handed Temple the most minutes of his career (31.6 per game), although Temple has yet to demonstrate that he has the ability to be a regular starter on a contending team.

Temple is also in the final year of the 3-year, $24 million deal that he signed with the Sacramento Kings during the 2016 offseason, and it is unlikely that the Grizzlies will hand him an extension this summer. Due to this, a trade this month makes sense, and hopefully, Temple will land on a playoff contender, where he can contribute from the bench.

#2 Mike Conley

Mike Conley has spent his entire career with the Memphis Grizzlies since being selected by the franchise as the fourth overall pick of the 2007 NBA draft. Conley has been a solid performer in Memphis during his decade with the team, although the point guard has never established himself as the All-Star that many believed that he would eventually develop into.

Nevertheless, Conley is receiving the salary of an All-Star, as back in 2015, Conley signed a 5 year, $153 million deal, which at the time was the biggest contract in NBA history. The 31-year-old's contract still has two years left to run, and Conley will earn a staggering $34 million for the 20/21 season. Ultimately, Conley has been an excellent servant to the Grizzlies, however, the franchise evidently needs to move on his contract in order to usher in a new era.

#1 Marc Gasol

Just like Mike Conley, Marc Gasol has spent his entire career with the Grizzlies. Gasol was selected by the Los Angeles with the 48th overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft, although the Spaniard never played a game in LA, and was traded to the Grizzlies in February of 2009. After landing in Memphis, Gasol quickly established himself as the Grizzlies starting center, and the 33-year-old has kept his place ever since, even making the All-Star team's in 2012, 2015 and 2017.

Nevertheless, Gasol is showing signs of decline, and this is a big worry for Memphis, as the Spanish center still has a year remaining on his contract. While it is a player option, Gasol is unlikely to opt out of a $25 million payday, and the Grizzlies face the prospect of having nearly $60 million of cap space tied up on Gasol and Conley. The Grizzlies evidently need to part with one of their long term players, and Gasol seems like the best option.