I read on HoopsHype that Toronto and San Antonio are pursuing Lorenzen Wright. Source At 6'11'' and 240 lbs, I am not sure what we gain with him playing our 5 spot. I am certain we would have to give up too much for Wright's services.
What would we give up for Lorenzen? We could definitly use a big man like him to help out our front court.
I think that MoPete, Awill and Ewill are players that we can afford to trade , if Araujo doesnt get any better i feel that we should trade him. Id rather have Magloir than Wright tho.
I agree about Magloire instead of Wright and I am certain that Jamaal has an agenda to play for Toronto once him contract expires.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Carcharias:</div><div class="quote_post"> At 6'11'' and 240 lbs, I am not sure what we gain with him playing our 5 spot. I am certain we would have to give up too much for Wright's services.</div> Why could his height possibly be a negative? The average NBA Center is not bigger than 6'11" and 240 lbs. I also think you could get him for a bargain price for two reasons. First of all, he's demanding a trade, thus the Grizzlies are put in a situation where they have to make a trade before the season starts or at least before the trade deadline, and that may cause them to rush a lopsided deal like the Heat trade. Second of all, Lorenzen Wright is one of the most underrated players in the league because he hasn't had the chance to put up big numbers in the kind of system that Mike Fratello runs. I'm sure people would look at him in a whole new light if he were in Toronto where he'd play most of the game and not have to constantly be subbed out for Stromile Swift. Regardless of Wright's value, it's hard to see him ending up in Toronto. As I said in the Grizzlies forum, one trade scenario I came up with was Lorenzen Wright for Alvin Williams, Rafael Araujo, and Loren Woods. Williams would basically be a non-factor because of the Grizzlies' Point Guard surplus, but he needs to be in there for cap purposes. Neither Araujo nor Woods is as talented as Wright, but at least from the Grizzlies' perspective they'd be getting two legit Centers in return, which is a lot to ask for in today's NBA.
He's a decent role player who can rebound. He's a nice legit center, but I wouldn't want to give up too much for him, especially not Morris Peterson (like someone mentioned above).
dude, lorenzon wright is a monster...but i'd take the hometown boy...JAMAAAAAAAAL anyday and he actually wants to play in toronto too...but if there is one player we can get rid of, it's gotta be eric williams...i hate him
I think Memphis only needs a back-up SG and centers to replace L. Wright. The scenario for memphis seems: It seems that PG is definitely good, SF is set with Battier and Miller, PF with Gasol and custodian. Oh yea and a nice pick-up in this year's draft with Warrick. The only players that Memphis may be interested at those positions would be SGs: Lammond Murray - expiring contract Morris Peterson - decently talented Alvin Williams - injury woes, but has been loyal to the Raps for a while, wouldn't want to betray him and trade him. Eric Williams - has been decent on other teams, but hasn't worked well on the Raptors. Cs: Loren Woods - seems like a typical journeyman, Rafael Araujo - struggled in his rookie season. Aaron Williams - plays scrub minutes at C for us, but isn't really a center. I'm not sure how smart it would be to trade away Hoffa for Wright's expiring contract, he could just leave after one season. I would be fine offering Murray, Aaron Williams and Loren Woods, but it seems like too little. It works out too. How about Mo Pete + Aaron Williams + Loren Woods for Wright + 2nd rounder?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SkiptoMyLue11:</div><div class="quote_post"> How about Mo Pete + Aaron Williams + Loren Woods for Wright + 2nd rounder?</div> Thus leaving our starting lineup to become: PG Rafer Alston SG Jalen Rose SF Joey Graham PF Chris Bosh C Lorenzen Wright Looks solid....
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SkiptoMyLue11:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Memphis only needs a back-up SG and centers to replace L. Wright. The scenario for memphis seems: It seems that PG is definitely good, SF is set with Battier and Miller, PF with Gasol and custodian. Oh yea and a nice pick-up in this year's draft with Warrick. The only players that Memphis may be interested at those positions would be SGs: Lammond Murray - expiring contract Morris Peterson - decently talented Alvin Williams - injury woes, but has been loyal to the Raps for a while, wouldn't want to betray him and trade him. Eric Williams - has been decent on other teams, but hasn't worked well on the Raptors. Cs: Loren Woods - seems like a typical journeyman, Rafael Araujo - struggled in his rookie season. Aaron Williams - plays scrub minutes at C for us, but isn't really a center. I'm not sure how smart it would be to trade away Hoffa for Wright's expiring contract, he could just leave after one season. I would be fine offering Murray, Aaron Williams and Loren Woods, but it seems like too little. It works out too. How about Mo Pete + Aaron Williams + Loren Woods for Wright + 2nd rounder?</div> I love Mo Pete, and I've been a fan since he played at my school in the 90's, but the Grizzlies just don't have any need for him. You're completely off on the backup Shooting Guard need. Look at all the players we have who play on the wing - SG - Mike Miller/Eddie Jones/Dahntay Jones SF - Shane Battier/Hakim Warrick/Brian Cardinal Where do you see a need for a player like Mo Pete? The Grizzlies needed two things this offseason, size and star power. Since Toronto is unlikely to part with Bosh, they don't have any star quality players that the Grizzlies would want to set up a Gasol package for, and that means the only thing they have to offer the Grizzlies is a big man, Center or Power Forward. That is why in my deal I had the Grizzlies taking on Woods and Araujo. Also, the Grizzlies already owe Seattle two second round picks, so why would they shell out another to complete a deal that doesn't even really help them?
Wright would be a solid addition, but his contract expires after this season. If he doesn't want to be on a 45+ win team, why would he re-sign with Toronto? He also has some durability issues. Some seasons he'll play 75+ games, then miss 20 game the next. I'm not sure, depends on who we give up, but I doubt he would resign. It's only a rumor anyway, and I doubt it will happen anyway.
Interesting. I like his rebounding ability, but his shot blocking is very lacking, as he's not a super athlete, and doesn't have that much length. His rebounding would help a lot, and though he's not a great defender, he's better than anything we currently have at center defensively. Wright is not really a banger though, while he will get down and dirty, he doesn't have much size, and their's 0 need to give up much for him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Wright would be a solid addition, but his contract expires after this season. If he doesn't want to be on a 45+ win team, why would he re-sign with Toronto? He also has some durability issues. Some seasons he'll play 75+ games, then miss 20 game the next. I'm not sure, depends on who we give up, but I doubt he would resign. It's only a rumor anyway, and I doubt it will happen anyway.</div> Wright's trade demand wasn't because he wanted to go to a winner but rather because he wants a contract extension that the Grizzlies don't want to pay for. Whichever team that Wright is traded to will be expected to give him that extension. This is part of the reason I expect a deal to be made before the season. Last year the Grizzlies were a young, immature team with players like Bonzi Wells and Stromile Swift only looking out for their personal interests because it was their contract years and the Grizzlies weren't offering extensions. Wright came right out and said that he'd be a distraction like Wells and Swift were if he doesn't get this extension, so I think that if worst comes to worst, West will ship him out for practically nothing like he did with Williams. The direction this team is taking this year seems a lot clearer to me now. They're bringing in guys like Eddie Jones and Bobby Jackson who are proven, veteran leaders that know how to win, and in the process they're losing players like Williams, Wells, and Posey who were just as much liabilities and distractions as they were contributing players last year. After going that far to reshape the team's image/chemistry, I don't think Jerry will stop with Wright.
I personally prefer the Jamaal Magloire scenario if we are going to have to give up Morris Peterson. Knowing the Raptors' plan for the future, there's no way Babcock will give Wright an extension even if he were able to get him, and it will be like giving away Morris Peterson for practically nothing after Wright becomes a free agent.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Memphis Commercial Appeal : "Lorenzen Wright deals have poured in from at least a half dozen teams. The most persistent suitors have been Toronto and San Antonio but both teams are offering less serviceable players and bloated contracts. The Griz have rejected those as wells as offers from Utah, Sacramento, Minnesota."</div> You have to register for this and scroll down. Source
