5 reasons the Memphis Grizzlies can still win without Mike Conley

2) Trade Opportunities

The Memphis Grizzlies seemed to be in something of a transition phase this summer until they spent significant money on Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons. Add in Marc Gasol’s big contract from the summer before and the Grizzlies are pretty set with their core.

They should still have some opportunity to make moves, though.

Memphis is stocked with veterans on relatively affordable contracts. When the trade market opens on Dec. 15, the Grizzlies could very well make some moves to improve the roster.

Zach Randolph is in the final year of a contract paying him $10 million; Tony Allen is in the final year of a deal paying him $5 million; Vince Carter is in the last year of his deal. That is potentially $20 million the Grizzlies could move to a team looking for a veteran or some cap relief and inject the team with some youth and added depth — especially at point guard.

All of those players are pretty fundamental to the team’s culture, so those are not going to be easy decisions to make. But Memphis can make deals and the team can get better in the trade market. The opportunity is there.

The Grizzlies will have to heavily explore the trade market when it opens and they will have to make sacrifices. But the opportunity is most certainly there.