[zolaParticipant]

Last season playoff showed that Grizzlies need to upgrade at center. They won’t be serious contender with Adams and Tillman. JJJ is not ready to play center full time, maybe he never will be. They missed the opportunity to trade up and get Jalen Duren, so trade market remains their best option. Myles Turner will demand more than 20 million anually for extension, which will ruin their long term cap flexibillity. Two guys who would be huge upgrades at center and have reasonable contracts are Jakob Poeltl and Richaun Holmes. I think both guys are very available. Both of them are better rim protectors and more mobile than Adams. Offensively they are similar to Adams, set good screens, rebound well.

Poeltl is in the last year of his contract. Spurs started to tear down and tank, so after Murrey, he maybe the next player out of San Antonio. The question is how much he will ask for next contract. I think something around 15 million would be reasonable. If Grizzlies can make a deal with Poeltl about contract extension, they should make an offer to Spurs. They can offer Adams and 2024 most favorable pick between Warriors and their own. They can add one or two second rounders if necessary.

Holmes is backup center in Sacramento since Sabonis arrived, so he is even more likely to be traded. Kings need upgrades at wing. So three teams deal where Grizllies would get Holmes and send Adams and 2024 least favorable pick between Warriors and their own to Spurs and Spurs would send Josh Richardson to Kings make sense for all three teams. Holmes has three more seasons under very reasonable contract. Kings would upgrade wing defence. They need wing stopper next to Monk and Huerter. Spurs would get additional first rounder for a player who they don’t need. They have cap space to absorb Adams contract, they actually need to reach salary cap floor. Adams would be good locker room presence for young players.

So what do you think, who is better player, Jakob Poeltl or Richaun Holmes? Who is better fit? Who is more available?

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

tbh, I’m not big on either one. They’re both adequate but won’t make the Grizzlies any better than they are. If I’m the Grizzlies, I stick with what I got unless something significant falls right in their laps. I’d say Holmes is a slightly better fit, but Poeltl is just as good of a player. They are both available imo. Adams is solid

[OhCanada-Participant]

Can’t say I’ve watched much Richaun Holmes since college aside from highlights and a game here or there but Jakob Poeltl I have an I can definitely say he’s worth investing in. He has alot of those same strengths that a guy like Steven Adams has but he is a bit lighter on his feet and more skilled. Has extremely soft hands. Is very efficient and plays underrated defense. Always in the right position. He may get beat and out talented but he’s always in his spot. Rarely gets outworked or outwitted.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Holmes is also lighter on his feet than Adams. The thing with Adams is his size and IQ. He’s a way underrated passer. I like your Poeltl analysis…

[armchairgmParticipant]

I would rather have Poeltl and honestly rather have Adams than Holmes. Poeltl is def available if Memphis threw a 1st round pick at Spurs deal would likely be done.

[HitsterParticipant]

Poeltl will be looking for a big deal next summer and I liked him as a prospect but he hasn’t quite lived up to his hype and I’d be interested to see how the Spurs view him going forward. I like Holmes as a high energy big but I don’t think he gives you anything more than Adams does overall. He’s a better scorer but he doesn’t have Adams’ size, power and passing ability.

Adams is the sort of guy one of the top 6 teams or so would throw some exception at and have him as a top defensive anchor think Marc Gasol when he went to Raps ironically from Memphis. If Adams could decide to move on or the Grizz couldn’t offer hom the sort of deal or title chance he wanted then I agree Poeltl and Holmes would be good replacements.

But Poeltl would likely be looking for a bigger deal than Adams would get unless the Spurs might look to extend then trade him. Either Holmes or Poeltl for a late first rounder if Adams was going to move on makes sense. But if Adams was prepared to stay on right sort of deal, no need to look elsewhere.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

None of those guys imo are worth a late 1st round pick. Close, but not quite.

[zolaParticipant]

Both Poeltl and Holmes are better rim protectors and better defenders outside of paint than Adams. Poeltl is better rim protector than Holmes, but Holmes is faster and more swichable which becoming more and more important every season. Adams is strongest and probably the best paint defender against guys like Jokić and Embiid, but that is way less important than rim protection and swichability.

Offensively all three are pretty similar. They are team oriented players, don’t demand ball, set good screens, rebound well, don’t shoot at all. Poeltl probably has the best post skills. Holmes is the best lob threat and has nice floater. Adams is the best rebounder, but just slightly. Adams is definitely the best passer, but overall less skilled and dangerous offensively.

Grizzlies have two picks in 2024 so investing one to upgrade now is no brainer for me. It has to be seen how much money will Poeltl ask for. Holmes has three more years on reasonable contract.

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