The Memphis Grizzlies have a new target in their crosshair. Ja Morant & Co. has come a long way since their disappointing previous season, lodging at the 3rd seed in the West. Heading inches closer to the trade deadline, they look to further strengthen their championship chances with a new addition. While their hot pursuit to grab Jimmy Butler went disappointingly unsuccessful, the Grizzlies found a $22 million new alternative, days after revealing their stance on the Marcus Smart trade.

Firstly, the Grizzlies enquired about Jimmy Butler amid the Miami Heat trade drama. However, before it could even materialize into a negotiation, Butler brutally rejected it.

Of course, the Heat star doesn’t have any control over the team that he wants to get traded, but he can surely influence where he doesn’t want to get traded! As per NBA Insider Chris Haynes, the 6x All-Star picked the Grizzlies along with a few other teams where he doesn’t want to get traded.

Amid this situation, the Memphis side revealed its latest trade target: the Brooklyn Nets’ rising star prospect Cameron Johnson, as per NBA Insider Evan Sidery.

Like ‘Jimmy Buckets’, Cam Johnson has also made a stirring effect in the trade market with multiple teams pursuing him. All these trade negotiations came crashing down because these teams couldn’t satisfy the Nets’ trade proposition. However, Sidery revealed that the Grizzlies have the “needed draft capital and salaries to build an appealing offer for the Nets”. Above all, the NBA Insider also touted it as a “big title-contending move”. 

At the same time, who will the Grizzlies send out to match the offer? Notably, a few days ago, Memphis ruled out the option to trade Marcus Smart, who has been on the sideline for quite some time with a right index finger injury. So, who will head out for Cam Johnson?

Amid Jimmy Butler’s snub, who will Cam Johnson replace in the Grizz roster?

Firstly, the Grizzlies have a stacked frontcourt with Zach Edey and Jaren Jackson Jr. So, if Butler agreed to the trade, the star would have taken the small forward position to further strengthen the frontcourt. While he has ruled it out, where will Cam Johnson play?

The 6 ‘8 tall forward can take up the small forward position, but who will the Grizz give up for it? Notably, when the Warriors pursued Cam Johnson along with Dennis Schroder, the Nets demanded the rising star Jonathan Kuminga in return and it didn’t materialize because the Dubs had to build the future surrounding him. While JK was a talented power forward, does the Grizzlies have a promising forward to give in return?

While Jaren Jackson Jr. is the most lethal power forward in that line, the team also has a set of reserve forwards: Santi Aldama, Jake LaRavia, and John Konchar. The only question is, will these three forwards satisfy the Nets’ requirements? Only time will tell.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.