Memphis is evaluating interest in 5 assets as the 2026 NBA trade deadline approaches.

The The Memphis Grizzlies find themselves in a precarious position like 2026 NBA trade deadline looms. Tuomas Iisal’s injury-riddled roster is clinging to 10th place in the Western Conference, barely hanging on for the final play-in spot with a 15-20 record. One movement to strengthen the bench, plus some health happiness around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.it won’t be enough to upset the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs.

League sources paint a picture of a proactive front office, quietly shopping five intriguing assets in search of another starter-caliber piece. These are not crown jewels, but solid building blocks for the candidate who is hungry for depth and future.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($21.62 million salary) is a championship-proven defender who gives the Grizzlies significant salary-matching options in any potential deal. A big man Brandon Clarke ($12.5 million) is another versatile frontcourt piece with proven playoff production when healthy. Rounding out the salary components is John Konchar ($6.17 million), a glue guy whose hustle and three-and-D abilities have made him a valuable rotation piece.

Money is not an issue considering the rest of the salary cap structure. Even better, Kleiman’s real leverage lies in draft capital. The Grizzlies are the No. 5 prospect in the first round. However, Danny Ainge, for example, will seek to withdraw the contract with Lauri Markkanen ($46.3 million). Miles Turner, Ivica Zubac, Bobby Portis, Domantas Sabonis, or even Pascal Siakam would be far cheaper in frontcourt depth. Zion Williamson would be pennies on the dollar compared to the Markkanen package.

Grizzlies have purchasing power

Dividing the draft is relatively simple. A 2029 first-round pick with trade rights to Orlando is a fascinating gamble for any acquiring team. Basically, it’s two lotteries in one. The pick is being reported as better than Memphis’ pick or the Orlando Magic’s first-rounder, who have two first-round protections. Both teams could theoretically crash things at the same time, making this asset a potential gold mine.

The Grizzlies’ 2028 pick tells a different story. For Kleiman, there is a personal incentive to keep the team competitive with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. for the next few seasons. If the pick is being passed around like a lottery pick, it probably means the franchise plan has failed and someone else is making the decisions. It’s the kind of calculated risk that makes trade negotiations fascinating.

According to some reports, those picks in the 2026 NBA draft (Memphis owns two) and 2027 are intended for targeted acquisitions that bolster the bench with young, proven talent on rookie or early-season contracts. Herb Jones is just one cost-controlled option that provides immediate value without the long-term financial burden.

Memphis also acknowledges that if they meet the deadline, those 2026 and 2027 selections would provide the bargain rookie contracts necessary to maintain roster flexibility. Both Ja Morant’s value and future are in doubt, and everyone is waiting to see how the Tree Young deal resets the market. There are milestones where Kleiman can see it through without both homegrown All-Stars being with the team beyond next summer, as long as there is draft capital left in the war chest.

So it’s not a question of whether Kleiman will act. League insiders expect him to pull the trigger before the deadline. The real question is what the Grizzlies are willing to put on the table and how much value they will have after the first blockbuster move is made.