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Kyle Korver was never officially announced as a Memphis Grizzly before he was shipped elsewhere.
According to the latest Woj bomb, the Memphis Grizzlies are sending Kyle Korver and Jevon Carter to the Phoenix Suns for De’Anthony Melton, Josh Jackson, a 2020 second round pick and a conditional 2021 second round pick.
The Grizzlies are trading Kyle Korver and Jevon Carter to the Suns for DeAnthony Melton, Josh Jackson 2020 second-round pick and 2021 conditional second-round pick, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2019
This is a cap clearing move for the Suns after they have agreed to deals with Ricky Rubio, Aron Baynes and Frank Kaminsky thus far this off season. Woj reports the Suns will buy out Korver’s partially guaranteed deal, saving them around $5.5 million.
Suns are planning to buyout the partially guaranteed contract of Kyle Korver, league sources tell ESPN. Lakers, Sixers and Bucks are frontrunners to sign Korver once he clears waivers, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2019
The Memphis Grizzlies front office is winning the offseason and they may be running away with it. This all goes back to the Mike Conley trade with Utah. The return for that now currently — potentially still temporarily — stands at Jae Crowder, Grayson Allen (2018 first round pick), Brandon Clarke (2019 first round pick), a protected 2020 first round pick that will likely convey in 2022, Josh Jackson (2017 #4 overall pick), De’Anthony Melton (2018 second round pick) and two future second round picks, plus a future first from Golden State to absorb Andre Iguodala’s salary dump.
The Grizzlies make a run at resurrecting the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Josh Jackson. https://t.co/Am7InuIB3w
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2019
Josh Jackson is a free-look for the Grizzlies, but Melton is a prospect that Memphis has long evaluated as a prospect with some staying power. Suns future second-round picks typically convey in the low-to-mid 30's. Suns save $5.5M on Korver buyout vs. Jackson salary.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2019
If this is the plan, its just another genius move. If it doesn't work with Jackson, the Grizzlies basically gave up nothing for a possible redemption project. Melton is a 6’4” point guard who only shot 30% from three but is extremely athletic. The shooting numbers can and will improve. The Grizzlies just walked away with two players under the age of 23 for a shooter at the end of his career and a second round pick from the year before that had no spot on this team.
With the amount of people on roster still, this front office may only be getting started.
Stick with GBB as more craziness unfolds during NBA Free Agency.