Memphis Grizzlies Rumors: The Griz Are Currently Rolling, But Will They Try To Add Another Piece Before The Trade Deadline?

The Memphis Grizzlies are playing their best basketball of the season, but do they need to add another piece to be serious playoff contenders?

The Grizzlies (25-20) had their four-game winning streak snapped, which tied a season-high, in Minnesota on Saturday as they got into a little rut in the second quarter and couldn’t quite complete their comeback. Still, Memphis has won seven-of-10 and is currently fifth in the Western Conference after overtaking the Dallas Mavericks – who have lost two in a row and six-of-10.

Memphis is a very good defensive team – ranking sixth in points allowed (98.9) – due to the fact they create a lot of turnovers, but they have several issues on the offensive end. The Griz rank in the bottom third of the league is scoring, field goal percentage and three-point percentage.

Memphis uses a balanced offense, led by Marc Gasol, as the Griz have seven players who average at least nine points apiece. The Grizzlies average just 96.5 points a game although they have reached the century mark in six straight heading into their game in Orlando on Monday night. Memphis is 17-1 when they score at least 100 points.

Gasol has struggled with his shot this season as he is shooting a career-worst 45.6 percent from the field. However, he has picked up the scoring load lately. The 7-foot-1 center has topped the 20-point mark eight times and is averaging nearly 18 points a game in December and January after averaging around 15 points through the first 18 games of the season. For the season, Gasol is averaging 16.7 points and 7.2 rebounds a contest.

Zach Randolph has also increased his production in January after a rough December. The 34-year-old veteran is averaging 14.5 points along with 7.8 rebounds this month as he has recorded two double-doubles. His numbers are down across the board this season as compared to the previous few seasons. Randolph is averaging 13.8 points along with 8.0 caroms a game.

Mike Conley, Mario Chalmers, Jeff Green, and Courtney Lee are also averaging double-figures while Barnes averages 9.1 points a game. Conley, Chalmers, Barnes and Green have struggled shooting from the field throughout the season.

Another view of @unclejeffgreen's poster: pic.twitter.com/N8i34mcBXU

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 26, 2016

Memphis acquired Chalmers earlier this season in a trade with Miami for veteran Beno Udrih along with Jarnell Stokes and a second round draft choice in early November. Chalmers started his tenure in Memphis on fire, tallying double-figures in his first four games with the Grizzlies – which included a 29-point effort in his third game with the team. He cooled down a little, mixing good games with bad games, but since the start of the new year, he has picked up the scoring again. Chalmers has reached double-figures in eight of his 11 January games, averaging 13.2 points while shooting 44.0 percent from the floor and 40.9 percent from beyond the arc.

So, do the Grizzlies need to make another move prior to the trade deadline?

Kevin Pelton of ESPN believes that Memphis does need to make a roster move if the Griz want to advance past the first round of the playoffs. Pelton said in order for Memphis to win a playoff series they need to earn a top five seed so they can avoid Golden State, San Antonio and Oklahoma City in the opening round.

However, Griz general manager Chris Wallace told The Commercial Appeal that he doesn’t feel compelled to make a deal as the trade deadline approaches.

“No. There’s a fine line between always considering something and being active and aggressive. But you never want to go into any point of the year where you feel like you have to make a deal. That’s how you end up making a mistake. I like our team. We’ve regained our footing after a tough start (to the season)… I’m optimistic and bullish on this team.”

Memphis is expecting to get Jordan Adams and Brandan Wright back from their injuries soon and that could be impacting Wallace’s thinking. Neither Adams or Wright have played since early December and both underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. Wright could return by the end of the month while Adams isn’t expected back until after the All-Star break.

If the Grizzlies do indeed look into the trade market, a couple of potential targets include Eric Gordon or Kevin Seraphin. Gordon is in his final year of his contract with New Orleans and would certainly provide the scoring and shooting the Griz are looking for – he is currently averaging 14.9 points while shooting 41.0 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Seraphin has fallen out of the rotation with the Knicks as he has appeared in only 28 games and averaging 10.5 minutes per appearance. The 6-foot-10 center is an above average rebounder with the ability to finish around the basket.

[AP Photo/David Zalubowski]