Grizzlies Frantically Shopping Walter Clayton Jr. Before Roster Deadline

Marc Stein reports the Memphis Grizzlies are frantically trying to trade Walter Clayton Jr. before today's roster deadline, with the Sacramento Kings emerging as a potential landing spot.

The Grizzlies' backcourt is currently more crowded than a budget airline boarding gate. Memphis recently traded for Jordan Hawkins, and now the 2025 NCAA Tournament hero is suddenly fighting for his NBA life just to avoid the waiver wire.

"Marc Stein reported the Grizzlies are trying to trade Clayton and the Kings are a 'possible destination.'"

Clayton missed the entire Summer League with a sprained right knee and looked rusty during the preseason. He dropped a highly forgettable seven points and two turnovers in 13 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks, which is not exactly the kind of tape you want to send around to general managers on deadline day.

Sacramento makes sense as a destination for a team desperate for a spark. The Kings just got blown out by the San Antonio Spurs 126-97 and dropped another ugly game to the Portland Trail Blazers 110-98.

If you are looking at Sacramento's upcoming matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 22, adding a shooter like Clayton might not fix their defensive issues, but it gives them another guy who can actually space the floor.

It is wild how fast things move in this league. A year ago, Clayton was cutting down the nets at Florida and getting drafted to be the perfect floor-spacer next to Ja Morant and Zach Edey. Now, he is a roster casualty waiting to happen because Javon Small had a good summer.

The deadline is today. If Memphis cannot finalize a deal with the Kings or another suitor, Clayton likely hits waivers, where half the league will suddenly remember he is a near 40 percent shooter from deep.