Roster Crunch and Trade Exception Strategies

The Grizzlies have 20 standard contracts after signing Taj Gibson. Trade talks for Jordan Hawkins and AJ Johnson continue. Cut candidates include Murray, Clayton, AJ Johnson. The $28.8M TPE is a strategic asset; speculative targets include Draymond Green and Patrick Williams. Financial flexibility is a key advantage. A recent speculative trade idea proposed sending Scotty Pippen Jr. to the Nuggets for Zeke Nnaji and seconds, but a Grizzlies-focused article argues strongly against that trade, citing Pippen's value and suggesting other waiver candidates. This reinforces that Pippen should be kept.