Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 NBA trade partners that make the most sense

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies have two pieces that can help the Cavs come June in shooting guard Tyreke Evans and center Marc Gasol.

Evans, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, is having a career season with the Grizzlies. The fourth pick in the 2009 draft is averaging 19.7 points per game, while shooting 40.3 percent from 3-point territory.

The Grizzlies reportedly want a first-round pick for Evans, who can be a free agent at the end of the season.

While the Brooklyn pick gets a lot of attention, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Cavaliers would be content to move the first-round pick they own, which would currently be 24th overall.

Considering Evans is a rental, asking for a first-round pick seems like kind of a lofty asking price.

But who knows? Perhaps the Cavs get desperate. Or, perhaps, Memphis gets desperate, as the Grizzlies will want to get something for Evans.

Gasol would answer the Cavs’ rim protector problems, and he’d be able to provide some offense, too.

Gasol has tried to become a 3-point shooter and actually shot .388 from beyond the arc. However this season, he’s averaging four 3-point attempts per contest, compared to three attempts last season, and his percentage is down to .330.

Gasol, 32, is under contract through 2020, and he makes a ton of money. The 7-foot-1 center is due just north of $22 million this year. He’ll be paid a combined $49 million over the course of the next two seasons.

The Cavs would have to make the money match, so Tristan Thompson’s $16 million salary for this season would be a good place to start.

The Grizzlies said Gasol wouldn’t be traded back in November, but things change quickly in the NBa. Memphis is a hot mess, which makes them a team to keep an eye on.