Deveney: Trail Blazers Express Interest in Memphis Grizzlies Trade

Memphis Grizzlies stars Marc Gasol and Mike Conley stand among the hottest names on the NBA Trade Rumor list as the 2019 Trade Deadline approaches. According to Sean Deveney of SportingNews, the Portland Trail Blazers may be interested in acquiring Memphis assets, but not the ones you’d think. In an article exploring the Grizzlies’ trade options, Deveney says that the Blazers have expressed interest in either forward JaMychal Green or guard Garrett Temple.

Deveney mentions Portland alongside the Charlotte Hornets, and is not specific about which team is matched with which player, using the phrase “one or both” to describe the interest.

Green is a 6’9, 28-year-old power forward averaging 10.5 points and 6.6 rebounds in 23.0 minutes per game for the Grizzlies this year. He shoots a tantalizing 39.1% from the three-point arc, 49.5% from the field overall. He’s making $7.7 million this year. His contract expires this summer.

Temple is a 6’6 shooting guard, 32 years of age. He averages 9.6 points in 31.6 minutes per game as a starter, shooting 43.0% from the field and 35.6% from the arc. He’s making $8 million, also on an expiring contract.

Deveney suggests that Memphis would be interested in second-round picks, dreaming of a first-rounder for the combo. The Trail Blazers would need to match salaries to deal for either player. Unless Al-Farouq Aminu was involved, Memphis would need to take back extra years of salary to make a trade work.

Do either of those players light your fire at the trade deadline?