With the 2019-2020 NBA season fast approaching, Our First Draft is providing team previews for all 30 NBA teams. These are intended to inform the reader about important roster changes for all teams, as well as summarizing the outlook of the team ahead. This includes the Vegas Over/Under line, OFD’s recommendation on which side to take, as well as a projected record for the team.
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Conference: Western
Wins O/U: 27.5 (Over -130, Under +110)
Last Year’s Record: 33-49
Projected Roster (Projected Starters marked with asterisks): G. Allen, K. Anderson*, D. Brooks, B. Caboclo, B. Clarke*, J. Crowder*, J. Jackson, J. Jackson Jr.*, T. Jones, D. Melton, J. Morant*, M. Plumlee, I. Rabb, J. Valanciunas, Y. Watanabe
Key Offseason Moves: Drafted J. Morant and B. Clarke, Traded M. Conley for G. Allen and J. Crowder, Traded D. Wright, Signed T. Jones, Lost A. Bradley, Lost C. Miles, Traded J. Carter for J. Jackson and D. Melton
Overall Summary: The Memphis Grizzlies finally waved goodbye to the Grit and Grind era on June 19th, trading Mike Conley to Utah. This followed the deadline deal that sent Marc Gasol to Toronto. Conley and Gasol were the main stalwarts of the previous decade for a team that consistently contended in the West. Luckily, the lottery went their way – giving them the second overall pick – and Ja Morant was the perfect successor to Conley at the point. The Grizzlies weren’t done in the draft, choosing Gonzaga power forward Brandon Clarke with the 21st pick. Many thought Clarke should have been a lottery pick, and he justified the hype by winning Summer League MVP in July. They may have traded for Dwight Howard and Andre Igoudala, but these were trades to gain future assets, and neither will likely wear a Grizzlies jersey this year. Memphis is ready to be an important part in the Western Conference again, but it will take at least a year or two of seasoning. The next great NBA rivalry will have some southern flare to it, with 400 miles separating New Orleans from Memphis and both teams being chock-full of young talent.
Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA TODAY Sports
Verdict: While I love the Grizzlies’ future, their present is far less appealing. I would argue that at least 13 teams in the West will be going for the playoffs this year – and Suns fans would argue that they should make a push with the Booker/Ayton combination. Having to play all those games against Western Conference opposition will lead to growing pains for the Grizzlies’ young core, and a whole lot of losses. I strongly recommend the under, and project a record of 23-59.
