2 Teams that might be desperate enough to trade for Cavaliers’ center

The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a shaky start to the season due to injuries, but they have all of their key players now back and can be optimistic about improving. The Memphis Grizzlies, on the other hand, are without their top two centers for the entire season and are currently without their third-string center, Xavier Tillman, as well.

In their home loss Friday night to the Utah Jazz, the Grizzlies started street free agent Bismack Biyombo and played him 34 minutes, with undersized power forward Kenneth Logton Jr. backing him up. The Grizzlies’ defense has fallen apart and they have spiraled into a 1-8 record to start the year.

The Grizzlies need to find a different answer at center, and Damian Jones could be worth a shot. He may be relatively toothless on offense, but his defensive metrics are still fine this season and he has been a positive defender for the past few seasons. Memphis could use some size on the interior.

Memphis has a full roster plus Biyombo, signed as a 16th player because of Ja Morant’s suspension. To trade for Jones they would need to send back a player, perhaps Lofton Jr., or cut ties with David Roddy or Jake LaRavia. The Cavs could attach a second-round pick if there is a young player they want to take a flier on. The Grizzlies have to find a way to stop the bleeding, and that desperation may help the Cavs find a landing spot for Jones.