NBA Free Agency: 10 teams facing most pressure to succeed
By Tom West
2. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are one of the teams who could have the most on the line this summer. Grit ‘n Grind simply wasn’t the same this season. You could even say it’s died already as the Grizzlies fell to a far less imposing 19th in defensive efficiency, failing to bully teams inside in the same fashion while struggling to keep up offensively before suffering even more at the end of the season with injuries to Marc Gasol and Mike Conley.
And this is where the Grizzlies are in a similar position to the Clippers, except the idea of trading their star players isn’t as pressing. Instead, with Gasol in for the long haul (signed through 2019-20) as the team’s best player, the future of an ageing Zach Randolph (could he be traded and what for?) and free agent Mike Conley isn’t so sure.
Even though Randolph can still take players in the post and knockdown his smooth 18-foot jumpers, he isn’t the player he once was. And when surveying the bench situation and the fact that the Grizzlies somehow cycled through 28 players this season, he can’t be an anchor of the team in the same way he has been for so many years.
Since last week's piece about the Spurs' free-agent interest in Kevin Durant more than one spy has whispered: They'll court Mike Conley, too
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 13, 2016
More importantly, though, is the future of Conley, who will be one of the most sought after players in free agency this summer as the best point guard available. Despite his love for Memphis and importance to the team and city, saying “no” to so many offers — the class and title chances of the Spurs in particular — won’t be easy.
Without Conley, the Grizzlies will have lost their best offensive player outside of Gasol and with no floor general, their already weak offense is going to suffer immensely. There won’t be any replacements on his level in free agency either, meaning the Grizzlies simply cannot afford to lose him and they’ll do all they can to keep him.
But if he does leave, what’s next for this Grizzlies team as we know it?
With only Gasol left as a noticeable pillar of certainty and talent to hold the team together, the future wouldn’t be bright and only encourages the possibility of looking into trades to reset.
Their identity could be on the line this season.
Next: 1. Chicago Bulls