NBA Trade Rumors 2014 Update: Memphis Grizzlies Could Trade Zach Randolph to Brooklyn Nets for Paul Pierce

The Brooklyn Nets were considered as one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference before the 2013-14 NBA season, but they have been a disappointment so far.

Despite acquiring veterans Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and hiring Jason Kidd as the team's new head coach, the Nets are currently out of the top eight in the East with their dismal 9-16 record.

Nets owner Ruslan Provodnikov and general manager Billy King have been on a spending spree in the past few seasons, looking to build a title-contending team. Their recent struggles could force them to make another move -- this time: trading Pierce to the Memphis Grizzlies for Zach Randolph.

The Digital Journal reported that the Nets and the Grizzlies could enter into a trade involving Pierce and Randolph before this season's trade deadline.

Pierce, who is averaging 12.7 points and 2.9 assists per game this season, would give the Grizzlies a stabilizer on both ends of the floor.

The 36-year-old forward is playing in the final year of his contract that will pay him more than $15.3 million this season. Pierce will be an unrestricted free agent next summer and the Grizzlies will have the opportunity to get additional cap space if they decide not to sign the 16-year-veteran next summer.

On the other hand, Randolph, who is averaging 16.0 points and 9.7 rebounds per game this season, will definitely boost the frontline of the Nets, which could push them over the hump this season.

While Randolph is definitely not a cure-all solution to the Nets woes this season, the 32-year-old veteran could be an intriguing frontline partner to Brook Lopez, who is having a great season, averaging 20.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

The possible Randolph-Lopez tandem could be enough to help the Nets make the playoffs, considering how weak the Eastern Conference is this season. Aside from the Indiana Pacers (20-5), Miami Heat (19-6), and the Atlanta Hawks (14-12), all teams in the conference have under-.500 record so far.

Randolph, who previously said that he wants to retire as a Grizzly, is being shopped by the Grizzlies. Previous rumors suggested that Grizzlies are considering trading him to the New Orleans Pelicans for Ryan Anderson, but no significant talks took place in the past few days.