Report: Memphis Grizzlies Remove Young Assets From Jimmy Butler Trade Discussions

The Memphis Grizzlies are one of many teams involved in trade discussions surrounding Jimmy Butler.

Butler has reportedly stated he does not want to join the Grizzlies. Even with his request, it seems the No. 3 seed in the West are interested in acquiring the disgruntled Miami Heat star.

However, talks may have stalled after The Athletic reported the Grizzlies are reluctant to part with their young talent.

"The Grizzlies, for example, have held exploratory talks with Miami about Butler, but those interactions haven’t gone far," The Athletic's Sam Amick reported. "According to league sources, the Heat asked about Memphis’ young players, which the Grizzlies rebuffed.”

The Grizzlies are not one of Butler's preferred destinations due to the presumption he won't receive an extension there. However, the Grizzlies are one of the best contenders in the West. If Butler is interested in contending for a title this season, Memphis is a solid destination.

Young stars on the Grizzlies include rookie sensations Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant are presumably untouchable but after this weekend's shocking trade involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis, anything seems possible.

The Heat are probably interested in adding young pieces around Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Kel'el Ware has played like a future star for the Heat rotation as well. If the team can't acquire young pieces for Butler, the next best option may be to acquire expiring contracts. Doing so can open up cap space this coming offseason.

The trade deadline is Thursday.

HEAT CLIMB POWER RANKINGS

After getting back above .500, the Miami Heat are inside the top half of the league in terms of power rankings.

The Heat had a hectic week outside of on-court play. Jimmy Butler was suspended for a third time as the trade deadline nears. Also, an investigation opened up regarding a Terry Rozier betting probe. Even with these "distractions", the team managed to have a strong week.

This week, the Heat are in the No. 15 spot. Last week, they sat in the No. 16 spot. The team has hovered around these rankings throughout what has been an up-and-down season. The Heat's success comes around what has been a career week for Bam Adebayo.

"Before last Monday, Bam Adebayo had gone 11 games without scoring 20 points," NBA.com's John Schuhmann wrote. "But he had 26, 21 and 30 as the Heat went 2-1 last week, capping that run with the game-winning buzzer-beater in San Antonio on Saturday night. The three-point-shooting experiment hasn’t worked particularly well for the eighth-year big, but Adebayo has shot a career-best 44.3 percent from mid-range (up from 34.4 percent last season), including 9-for-16 over those three games last week."

The Heat played to a 2-1 record this week. The week culminated with an Adebayo buzzer-beater in San Antonio Saturday night. The team is catching some momentum at a time where changes could be made for the team to start pushing for the playoffs.

With the trade deadline on Thursday, the league will be watching what the Heat do with Butler. After the shocking Luka Dončić trade along with the De'Aaron Fox blockbuster, Butler is the next star to presumably be shipped before Thursday afternoon.

This week, the Heat play three games on the road, starting against the Bulls in Chicago on Tuesday. Then, they head to Philadelphia to take on the injury-plagued 76ers on Wednesday as part of a back-to-back. Their week will conclude Friday with a trip to Brooklyn to face the Nets.

REPORT: PELICANS 'INTERESTED' IN BUTLER

Jimmy Butler has preferred destinations, specifically the Phoenix Suns. He has also reportedly stated he does not want a trade to the No. 3 seed Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference.

The New Orleans Pelicans are the latest to join the Butler sweepstakes according to The Stein Line.

“A new team has emerged as a potential trade suitor for Jimmy Butler," reported Jake Fischer. "The New Orleans Pelicans have this week registered interest in trading for Butler, league sources tell The Stein Line.”

The Pelicans sit with the second-worst record in the Western Conference at 12-36. Their two main stars, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, have been consistently brought up in trade rumors this season as the team looks to head toward a rebuild.

Butler prefers to team up with All-Stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix. However, if the Heat can somehow acquire either Williamson or Ingram in a deal, it would be difficult to turn that down.

Williamson, 24, has missed most of this season due to injury after signing an extension over a year ago. His work ethic has been in question since entering the league. Many believe a change of scenery is necessary for the 2019 No. 1 overall pick. Williamson is under contract through 2028.

Ingram is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. If the Heat acquire him, it is understandable the front office will attempt to extend Ingram beyond this season. A core led by Ingram, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo could be a force in the Eastern Conference.

Sean Jordan is a contributor to Miami Heat On Sports Illustrated. He can be reached at sjorda06@syr.edu.

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