Zach Randolph and Mike Conley (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
Rumors have it that the Memphis Grizzlies could lure Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol to play alongside his brother Marc in Bluff City, but it could be at the expense of Zach Randolph and Mike Conley.
The Rockets are one of the Western Conference teams that needs a roster upgrade to keep them in the playoff hunt, and that could mean trading some of their core players.
Their inconsistency has been eating their hopes for a postseason run and they may have to consider dealing one of their tradable assets.
Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops reported earlier this month that the Rockets general manager Daryl Morey could explore trade deals if the Rockets' season woes continue.
It appears that is still the case for the Rockets, who are currently seventh in the West with a 12-13 record and struggling to find contributions from Ty Lawson.
Lawson has been linked to several trade rumors, but according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, the Rockets are not actively shopping the former Denver Nuggets point guard. Nevertheless, the Rockets could still deal Lawson if it means a stronger chance for them to win more games in the 2015-2016 NBA regular season.
On the other hand, the Grizzlies are also underperforming as they sit just on top of the Rockets with a 14-12 record.
Memphis is also showing inconsistencies in their style of play, forcing Dave Joerger to adopt a small ball lineup that will put Randolph and Tony Allen on the second unit.
"It's going to be for a while. Our team's changing," Joerger told The Commercial-Appeal.
"And it's nobody's fault. It's not a blame game. It's a different opportunity to do different things."
With the Grizzlies trying an unconventional approach to win basketball games, they may as well try to shake-up their roster for the second time this season.
In an NBA trade forum on Real GM, a deal involving the Grizzlies and the Rockets was proposed by a fan for Memphis to clear cap space to land Pau, while the Rockets get some help in their win-now campaign.
The Grizzlies would send Z-Bo, Conley, and Vince Carter for Ty Lawson, KJ McDaniels, Donatas Motiejunas, and a handful of lottery picks. But according to Real GM trade checker, a deal even without Carter and lottery picks involve would still work.
The move would clear Memphis some cap-space with Lawson and D-mo's expiring contracts, potentially giving the franchise a better chance to land Pau in next year's free agency.
Moreover, the Grizzlies would get players who fit well in playing small-ball lineups and an athletic young wing in McDaniels.
On the other hand, the Rockets would instantly boost their chances for an NBA title with Randolph and Conley addressing their frontcourt and point guard woes.
While this type of trade scenario is only fan-made, most of the pieces involved are realistically expendable.
Pau has confirmed he will opt out of his player option next year in free agency. While the Grizzlies has not interest in targetting Pau yet, it would certainly be enticing for the two-time NBA champ to play alongside his brother Marc.
