5 Players the Dallas Mavericks should target from Grizzlies after Ja Morant's injury

On Monday night, the Memphis Grizzlies received unfortunate news as it was reported that superstar point guard Ja Morant would be out for the remainder of the season with a labrum tear in his shoulder.

The Grizzlies have been playing much better since Morant returned from his 25-game suspension, and now they return to phase one.

With the Grizzlies taking such a significant blow with the massive injury from Morant, they could look to sell at the trade deadline, assuming that this year is a scratch.

5 Players the Dallas Mavericks should target from Grizzlies after Ja Morant's injury

The Dallas Mavericks play Memphis tonight, and maybe Dallas could take a look at some of their players that they would like to pursue via trade.

Here are five players from the Grizzlies that Dallas could target after Morant's shoulder injury.

5. Bismack Biyombo

Someone from the Grizzlies that the Mavs should target to help address their rebounding need is Bismack Biyombo.

This season for the Grizzlies, Biyombo is averaging 5.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 56.4 percent from the field. He has been Memphis' starting center this season, and he has not disappointed.

Biyombo makes so much sense for Dallas because he would be the perfect big man to bring off the bench behind Dereck Lively II. One of the Mavs' biggest problems has been their minutes from their backup bigs and the dropoff that happens when Lively II is out of the lineup or on the bench.

Biyombo gives the Mavericks someone who can protect the rim, rebound at a high rate, and bring some energy and some physicality. He also happens to be on an expiring contract, so maybe Dallas could find a way to get a bargain for him.

Dallas remains focused on upgrading at power forward, but maybe they will look to upgrade at the center spot as well.

4. Marcus Smart

The best player on this list is clearly Marcus Smart and the Dallas Mavericks trying to land him would likely be nearly impossible. He is one of the most talented defensive players in the NBA and has the type of playoff experience that Dallas would love.

He also happens to have grown up in the Dallas area, and who knows, maybe playing for the Mavs is something he has wanted to do since he was a little kid.

This season for the Grizzlies, Smart is averaging 14 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from downtown. Smart's 3-point shooting is down this year, but that isn't something that playing with star guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving wouldn't fix.

Smart would be getting open shots constantly, and playing with Doncic almost always seems to help players become better 3-point shooters. The confidence that he has in those around him is key, as he has helped Derrick Jones Jr.'s 3-point percentage climb this season.

Landing Smart in a trade is a pipe dream for Dallas. as there doesn't seem like much of a chance that Memphis moves on from him this quickly, but his elite perimeter defense and presence on that end of the floor could help this team turn into one of the powerhouses of the Western Conference.

Smart is someone who Dallas has shown interest in trading for in the past, and maybe Nico Harrison will make the move happen this season.

3. Santi Aldama

Both of the previously mentioned players in Marcus Smart and Bismack Biyombo definitely fill places of need for the Dallas Mavericks, but Santi Aldama happens to fill what seems to be the Mavs' No. 1 priority at the deadline, which happens to be at the power forward position.

There have been no rumors that the Grizzlies plan to shop Aldama at the deadline, but the 7-foot forward would be a solid pickup for Dallas.

This season for Memphis, Aldama is averaging 10.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. He has sneakily been having a great season for Memphis, and his skillset is the perfect fit into Dallas' system.

Aldama is a solid shooter off the catch, as he is shooting 34.1 percent from 3-point range this season. Luka Doncic thrives with bigs who can pop, just as he has with Maxi Kleber in years past, and Aldama would be an upgrade over Kleber at this point.

Kleber has only played five games this season due to a dislocated toe, and it's looking as if his best days were behind him. Someone like Aldama would give the Mavs a great backup power forward who can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and make some plays on defense, but it seems that Dallas' eyes could be set higher than that as they have been in trade rumors for Jerami Grant and Pascal Siakam.

If talks for either Siakam or Grant don't progress, Aldama would be a good alternative.

2. Brandon Clarke

More injuries, just what the Dallas Mavericks need, right?

The Mavs have been plagued by injuries for a large majority of this season as almost every key member of this roster has missed time with an injury. Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, Grant Williams, Dante Exum, Maxi Kleber, and Josh Green have all missed time this season and adding another player into the mix who has been injured this season may not be a great idea, but can Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies be an exception?

Clarke has not played a single game this season as he tore his Achilles towards the end of the season last year, but his return date could be around All-Star break. This could be a high-risk, high-reward type of move for Dallas, and he would provide the Mavs with some athleticism and energy at the power forward spot.

Last season for Memphis, Clarke averaged 10 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 0.6 steals per game. He has been great for the Grizzlies since entering the league in 2019, and he would be a nice addition for the Mavs.

He is a great lob catcher in transition and in the pick and roll, but him returning to his peak form could be concerning as he is coming off an Achilles tear. I don't see Dallas putting this much trust into someone who is coming off a severe injury, but he would be a good fit nonetheless.

1. Xavier Tillman

Following up Santi Aldama and Brandon Clarke is another frontcourt player who could help the Dallas Mavericks right now, and his asking price might be much cheaper as well.

Enter Xavier Tillman.

This season for the Memphis Grizzlies, Tillman is averaging 5.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. Both of his averages of steals and blocks per game are career-high marks for the young big man, and he is someone who Dallas should definitely be calling the Grizzlies about.

Tillman would be a great pickup for Dallas due to the fact that he fearlessly protects the rim. Dereck Lively II is the only Maverick who averages more than one block per game, and Tillman could help provide some tenacity in the paint off the bench.

Tillman may only be 6-foot-8, but his beefy 245-pound frame is something that the Mavs desperately need down low. They need someone who isn't easily moved in the paint and can also move his feet some when needed.

Tillman can provide that consistently, and his role would be easy as he would just need to protect the rim, rebound, and score occasionally in the post. His post hook and footwork down low are extremely underrated, and he could be a great buy-low candidate for the Mavs.

For all the latest news and rumors on the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.