The Memphis Grizzlies’ roster crunch has put Walter Clayton Jr. into the trade conversation, but the Golden State Warriors still don’t have a clean way to get him.
With Memphis trying to get down to the league’s 15-man limit before opening night, Jake Fischer reported Thursday night that both GG Jackson and Clayton are available in trade talks. That’s the opening, and it’s a real one. But for Golden State, it doesn’t line up in a way that makes much sense.
Fischer also noted that the Warriors and Miami Heat had interest in Clayton before last year’s NBA draft, when Golden State couldn’t trade back into the first round before the 6’4” guard went 18th overall to the Utah Jazz. He wrote:
“I’m told, however, that the Grizzlies have been exploring potential trade markets for GG Jackson II and Walter Clayton Jr. Which is quite a turn from Memphis' original stance on Clayton.
Back in February, when the Grizzlies were negotiating their return in the blockbuster Jaren Jackson Jr. trade with Utah, sources say Memphis valued Clayton quite highly. Other teams known to rate Clayton highly dating back to the draft: Golden State and Miami,” Fischer wrote.
The problem for the Warriors is simple: the money doesn’t really work. They’d probably love the idea of sending Will Richard to Memphis for his former Florida national championship teammate, but Clayton makes more, and the salaries don’t match up.
Gui Santos sits in a similar salary range, but Golden State isn’t moving the Brazilian forward, who is expected to be in the opening night starting five, for a player Memphis may not even want to keep on its 15-man roster.
There is one other route, though it feels like a long shot. The Warriors could try a Moses Moody package for Clayton and one or two additional salaries that would later be waived. Even that, though, doesn’t look especially appealing for either side.
So if Golden State is going to land Clayton, the most realistic path may not be a trade at all. It would take Memphis failing to find a market, then deciding to waive the 23-year-old.
That still wouldn’t solve everything for the Warriors, because they’ve already confirmed Brandon Williams will be on the opening night roster. But there is a possible opening on a two-way deal if they move on from Malevy Leons or LJ Cryer.
For now, the fit is awkward and the timing is worse. The Warriors have shown interest before, Clayton is suddenly available, and yet the pieces just aren’t falling into place.
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