5 free agency destinations for Festus Ezeli

In a similar situation that the Wizards are in the East, the Memphis Grizzlies are facing the harsh reality of not being able to adapt to the small ball era of the NBA. Memphis has been by far and away the most reluctant team to adopt pace and space concepts. There is a reason the team is called the Grit N’ Grind Grizzlies.

However with star center Marc Gasol’s injury, power forward Zach Randolph’s declining skill set, and letting key rotational big man Kosta Koufos sign with the Sacramento Kings last summer, the Grit N’ Grind Grizzlies don’t have the necessary ferocity down low to routinely win knockdown, drag-out fights on the hardwood.

While Ezeli has certainly had his issues with injuries over the years, he’d be an ideal replacement for Koufos in Memphis as a third or fourth big man off the Grizzlies’ bench as a key part of head coach Dave Joerger’s rotation.

Not only would Ezeli help the Grizzlies maintain a strong defensive identity with his strong rebounding and shot blocking ability, but plays in a way that will allow the Grizzlies to open up the floor more offensively. He’s not going to be Andrew Bogut for Memphis offensively, but could aid in the team’s productivity on that end of the floor when he’s on the court.

Next: 2. Miami Heat