NBA Trade Deadline: Grading every team’s 2022 deadline moves

Los Angeles Lakers: C-

Most people would give them an F, as they’re a win-now team that’s not winning and wasn’t able to get anything done, but let’s think about this for a second – what could they have done? The infamous package of Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and a 2027 first-round pick was shopped to practically every team in the league, eventually focusing on players such as Josh Richardson, Eric Gordon, and Terrance Ross. Do any of those players move the needle for a bad Lakers team?

The answer is undoubtedly no, with LA choosing to look towards the buyout market instead. The roster is constructed in a way where it’s extremely difficult to make any sort of trade to improve, because, frankly, both Rob Pelinka and LeBron didn’t think they would be in this situation. Alas, they’re 26-30, unable to improve themselves in any substantial way.

Memphis Grizzlies: B

It would have been intriguing to see the young-Grizzlies make a win-now move, but it’s simply not necessary. The young core of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., surrounded by positive young players and veterans alike, is only beginning to enter their championship window. They could have looked to move off of expiring contracts such as Kyle Anderson or Jarrett Culver, but if there’s no clear upgrade without messing up chemistry, it’s smart to not pull the trigger.

Sitting at 39-18, the third-best record in the entire league, Memphis should be happy to stay put. They won’t be favored over either Phoenix or Golden State in the playoffs, but nobody can completely rule them out either. At just 22 years of age, Morant will continue to get better, setting up Memphis to make a big splash either in the offseason or next deadline.