NBA Trade Rumors: 4 Center targets for Grizzlies to replace Steven Adams

NBA Trade Rumors: Exploring four center targets that could help the Memphis Grizzlies replace Steven Adams, who will miss the season due to an injury.

With Ja Morant having to sit out the first 25 games of the season due to a suspension, the Memphis Grizzlies were already heading into the 2023-24 NBA regular season with their backs against the wall. Now, they’ll have to also survive the season without the presence of their starting center, Steven Adams, who will miss the entire season due to a knee injury.

For the past two seasons, Adams has played an important role for the Grizzlies as their starting center. Last season, he averaged nine points and 12 rebounds per game on 60 percent shooting from the field. He’s also been an important part of their premier paint defense. Jaren Jackson Jr. is the Defensive Player of the Year, but there’s no question he’s able to do the things he does at least in part due to Adams’ presence on the floor.

With Adams out, it makes life a lot more difficult for the entire Grizzlies team. The good news is that there is time for Memphis to explore finding a replacement for him before the push toward the playoffs.

If the Grizzlies do explore the trade market to find a new starting center, there are a few potential options that would make sense.

4 Steven Adams replacements the Memphis Grizzlies could explore via trade

Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz

Even though Kelly Olynyk isn’t a natural center, he’s a veteran presence in the frontcourt that would make a lot of sense for a contender like the Grizzlies. He may not be the defensive presence that Adams was, but would give the Grizzlies another element on the perimeter as a big.

Olynyk can play alongside almost any center, which makes him valuable for a contender. If the Grizzlies are looking for mere depth, Olynyk is a player that could be in play. As the NBA Trade Deadline inches closer and closer, it would be surprising if he wasn’t shopped on the market at some point this season. Perhaps the Grizzlies could jump on that possibility.