NBA trade rumors: 5 destinations for Serge Ibaka

The Memphis Grizzlies can either continue on as a mid-level playoff team in the Western Conference or blow the whole thing up to rebuild in the first year of the David Fizdale era of the franchise.

The Grit N’ Grind era has taken on a religious type of adulation in Memphis with their basketball team, but the pieces in place are rapidly decaying. Marc Gasol is the cornerstone of the franchise, but both Tony Allen and Zach Randolph are getting up their in age and point guard Mike Conley could very well skip town in 2016 NBA free agency. What is Memphis to do?

Since Fizdale built his reputation as a strong defensive coach for Erik Spoelstra’s Miami Heat, one could argue that Fizdale will want to bring a three-and-d culture to Memphis and bring the Grizzlies out of the dark ages with an up-tempo offensive attack.

Ibaka would provide Memphis with great rim protection, solid low-post defense, and above all, the ability to stretch the field from either front court position. Memphis could send either Randolph or Allen and a future first round pick to Oklahoma City for Ibaka.

Randolph would make the Thunder front court unbelievably bruising next to Adams and Enes Kanter. Allen would be a step up from Andre Roberson at shooting guard. Ibaka provides Gasol protection down low and Fizdale with a big that can shoot threes.

Next: 3. Houston Rockets.