Memphis Grizzlies stand pat as NBA trade deadline passes

The NBA trade deadline came and went Thursday and the Memphis Grizzlies did what was expected: Nothing.

For the first time since 2017, the Grizzlies didn't make any deals at the deadline. Gorgui Dieng was expected to be the most likely trade option with his contract expiring after this season.

Dieng's $17.3 million salary, however, made it difficult to find teams who would take him at that price or give the Grizzlies enough value with potential draft picks.

However, the Grizzlies could still waive or buy out Dieng's contract. This frees him up to sign with any team as a free agent. Dieng hasn't played since Feb. 28 and appeared in 22 games this season.

Besides that, this was expected to be a quiet deadline. Two seasons ago, the Grizzlies traded Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors in a deal that brought them Jonas Valanciunas. Last season, they acquired Justise Winslow in a three-team deal that shipped away Jae Crowder, Solomon Hill and Andre Iguodala.

This time, the major move is waiting on the return of Jaren Jackson Jr. from meniscus surgery. The Grizzlies are expected to provide an update between the end of this month and early April.

The team could also make moves this summer as they sort out their plethora of perimeter players. For six players, next season is the final year of their contracts, including Jackson, who is eligible to sign his rookie scale extension.

But a quiet deadline means the Grizzlies, currently ninth in the Western Conference, remain content to stand pat. They resume their playoff chase Friday against the Utah Jazz (7 p.m., Fox Sports Southeast)

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You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com