Walter Clayton Jr. looked like a swing worth making for Utah a year ago. Now, just one season later, the bigger question is whether Memphis even keeps him.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the Grizzlies are exploring the trade markets for both GG Jackson and Clayton as they work to trim their roster. That marks a sharp change from Memphis’ earlier view of Clayton, who Fischer said the Grizzlies valued “quite highly” back in February when they were negotiating their return in the blockbuster Jaren Jackson Jr. trade with Utah.
Clayton’s status has already been unstable enough that Fischer confirmed last month he was among Memphis’ waive candidates. So the Grizzlies are now left with a choice: move him, or keep him and absorb what remains of his rookie deal.
For Utah, the latest turn is mostly a reminder of how the Jazz may have dodged a mess before it formed. Clayton never became a star in Salt Lake City, but he still had enough value to be included in the deal that sent Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Jazz. Memphis’ apparent buyer’s remorse only makes that decision look better in hindsight.
There’s some irony in all of it. The Jazz had to weigh whether moving on from Clayton was worth the price of getting Jaren Jackson Jr. at the time, and now Memphis is the team deciding whether Clayton is easy enough to let go. The answer could still depend on whether a new landing spot opens up.
That part matters, because this story is not necessarily over for Clayton. Even if the Grizzlies move on, that doesn’t mean his next stop is already decided. Fischer also mentioned Miami as a possible destination, and the Heat have a reputation for squeezing value out of players who don’t have much buzz elsewhere.
Clayton is only one year into his NBA career, and he’s already in a strange spot for a 23-year-old sophomore. Memphis may simply view him as a poor fit for the style it wants to play.
If that’s the case, another team could see something worth betting on. For now, though, the fast-moving reality is clear: the Grizzlies’ Clayton situation is much messier than Utah’s ever became.
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