Fansided

NBA post-free agency power rankings

By Brendon Kleen

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 06: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies watches a 2018 NBA Summer League game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Hornets at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Hornets defeated the Thunder 88-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 06: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies watches a 2018 NBA Summer League game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Hornets at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Hornets defeated the Thunder 88-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

16. Memphis Grizzlies

“Assuming Marc (Gasol) and Mike (Conley) come back healthy, I think we have a couple of surrounding pieces that are younger players that are going to make a positive impact,” Pera told the media outlet he employs. “We’ll get another good player in this draft. I see no reason why we can’t return to being a 50-win plus team.”

That quote from Grizzlies owner Robert Pera comes from a pre-draft interview with the team’s private media outlet, Grind City Media. It’s bonkers.

Pera just spent most of the season away from the team’s orbit as he determined whether he would buyout his minority owners or sell the team. To have this be his first official statement about the Grizzlies’ affairs after narrowly sticking around has to be frustrating for Memphis fans looking for direction.

Memphis fired its darling coach midseason when the relationship between he and Gasol became irreparable. They installed interim J.B. Bickerstaff and then hired him when summer came. So it really will be more of the same for a franchise that refuses to wipe the Grit n’ Grind slate clean.

Fortunately, their terrible season resulted in a draft-night steal, Jaren Jackson Jr., who looked incredible in Summer League and appears a solid fit next to Gasol. They will be able to balance between rebuilding and competing this year, because they have no better choice but to play the youngsters and veterans together.

Kyle Anderson was the final addition to this squad during the first weekend of Las Vegas Summer League, and he will earn $37 million over four years to be the Grizzlies’ starting small forward.

They’re not going to win 50 games, but another playoff appearance isn’t out of reach.

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