SAD NEWS: Following his brother’s overdose death, Memphis star ja Morant expressed his heartbreak.

The Memphis Grizzlies are considering parting ways with Marcus Smart, the former Defensive Player of the Year award winner, as they obtained the ninth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. There’s speculation, proposed by Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, about the Grizzlies trading Smart along with their draft pick to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jae’Sean Tate, Jock Landale, and the third overall pick. This move would potentially enable the Grizzlies to secure Donovan Clingan, a two-time NCAA champion from UConn, with the third pick.

The rationale behind this potential trade is Memphis’s desire to acquire Clingan, who could be seen as a suitable starter for them. Smart’s shooting limitations may not align with the Grizzlies’ needs alongside Ja Morant. While Landale might serve as salary filler, Tate could earn a rotation role with his hustle and versatility.

Clingan, known for his impactful performances during UConn’s NCAA Tournament victories, offers significant potential for the Grizzlies’ frontcourt, which already features Jaren Jackson Jr. He is expected to surpass Landale in terms of long-term value, given his impressive statistics of 9.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 64.5 percent from the field during his two seasons with the Huskies.