Yahoo! trade savant Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted that the earlier Memphis Commercial Appeal report regarding forward Shane Battier being dealt to the Grizzlies for center Hasheem Thabeet and a first round pick “definitely has legs,” according to a source in the negotations. Thabeet, the #2 overall pick in the 2009 draft, has averaged just 1.2 PPG and 1.7 RPG off the bench for the Grizzlies.
The Rockets, however, are desperate for help at center. This may be a situation where with players like Nene and Omer Asik off the market, the Rockets will have to gamble on someone who has proven nothing thus far. Thabeet could certainly benefit from a change of scenery, but there’s no evidence at this point that he’ll be anything other than six fouls a game in the NBA.
On the other hand, dealing Battier to Memphis is an interesting scenario. With Rudy Gay hurt, the Grizzlies clearly need someone like Battier to step in and help their playoff run. However, if the Grizzlies don’t move OJ Mayo, Battier will create a logjam at the wings: Gay, Battier, Mayo, and Xavier Henry. It seems like a good move for Memphis’ playoff hopes, but there’s also just a hint of the same desperation that had them deal for Ronnie Brewer last year.