Why the Grizzlies Must Make a Game-Changing Deal with the Nets After Bane Trade

The Crossroads of Rebuilding

After a season derailed by injuries and underwhelming defense, the Memphis Grizzlies stand at a pivotal moment. De’Anthony Melton? Gone. Desmond Bane? Traded to Orlando for prospects and picks that won’t fill the void. But here’s what most miss: this isn’t just about replacing production—it’s about redefining identity.

For years, we’ve watched Ja Morant orchestrate chaos with his lightning passes and fearless drives. But without reliable spacing or rim protection, he’s been left isolated in traffic. That ends now.

Why Claxton Is the Perfect Fit

Nick Claxton stands 6’11”—not tall by modern standards, but lethal in motion. His 2.1 blocks per game over three seasons? That’s elite interior presence. And while he hit only 5 threes last year (out of 21 attempts), let me be clear: his value isn’t on catch-and-shoots—it’s on roll-and-dunk, switch-and-guard, help-and-recover.

He doesn’t need to stretch the floor—he is the floor when it comes to defending Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokić. And when he sprints downcourt for an alley-oop from Ja? Pure chaos for opponents.

Cameron Johnson: The Veteran Anchor We Need

Cameron Johnson is no rookie hype machine. At 29 with a career 39.2% three-point rate and playoff composure under fire, he brings stability—something this young roster lacks.

His ability to create off screens and knock down pull-up jumpers gives Ja breathing room during pick-and-rolls. Plus, unlike many guards who fade after first quarter minutes, Cam stays locked in through fourth-quarter crunch time.

And yes—he’ll guard multiple positions without looking out of place.

Trading Up With Brooklyn: A Smart Play

The Nets are stuck between competing and rebuilding—a perfect window for negotiation. They’d get back valuable depth (KCP + John Conchall), future picks they can trade again later—and even more importantly—they’d clear cap space fast enough to make moves next summer.

A two-pronged deal involving both Claxton AND Johnson isn’t just possible; it’s logical.

The Four-Team Masterpiece (Yes, Really)

The real magic happens when you go beyond two teams. Imagine this:

• Grizzlies get Claxton + Johnson + Herbie Jones + KJ George + Walker Kessler — a full frontcourt rotation
• Nets gain Dejounte Murray (great fit!), Jordan Hawkins (young guard), plus multiple future firsts & swaps & salary relief
• Jazz land KCP + Clark + youth → finally building a real “lottery team”
• Pelicans receive Collins + Russell → upgrade their bench chemistry while keeping flexibility for next offseason & draft capital & swap options into the future = win-win across all sides!

This four-way could add up to 9 extra wins based on ESPN simulations—enough to flip playoff seeding overnight.

It’s About Control—Not Just Talent

As Jerry West said: “Control what you can control.” Zach Kleiman has already moved fast post-trade deadline; now is not the time to hesitate.

The Grizzlies don’t need another lottery pick or marginal guard rotation—they need impact. They need someone who can protect paint while freeing up Jalen Jackson as an elite perimeter defender.* The kind of player who thrives in high-pressure games where every possession matters—and that’s exactly what Claxton does best.* Let’s be honest: if we’re asking Ja Morant to carry everything alone again… well… we’ve seen how that ends.