2023-24 was a forgettable Memphis Grizzlies season.
This team has had everything from key player absences to a 13-23 record, and now, after finally getting franchise cornerstone Ja Morant back from his 25-game suspension to start the season, giving fans hope, he'll miss the rest of the season for right shoulder surgery.
After this tragic turn of events, many are predicting that the Grizzlies may skip the final months of the season and start 2024-25 preparations.
Unfortunately, such a journey would almost certainly lead the front office to sell off some of their non-long-term talents to re-tool for the future. If Memphis chooses this path, Michael Saenz of Sir Charles in Charge believes Marcus Smart should be going out.
Saenz argues that the Grizzlies, who have gone 7-20 without Morant this year, should move on from Smart's win-now talents based on his up-and-down debut season in the 38103 and the fact that he may be the team's biggest trade asset.
This is not the first time the Grizzlies have considered dealing Smart this season. BSB even stated hours after the Morant news came that the team should strongly consider tanking the rest of the year.
Trading Smart could benefit both parties, as the veteran is in his prime and can help almost any title-hopeful team with his elite defense,
steady offensive game, and leadership. Memphis could also improve their chances of making a future trade by exchanging him for draft capital.