It is a minor miracle Memphis avoided the bottom two spots in our ranks.
Despite having lottery talent, this team could get uncomfortably near the luxury tax next season–the last on Chandler Parsons’ onerous deal. What is worse, this particular group has an outgoing first-rounder hanging on its head. While the pick owed to the Boston Celtics has top-eight security this year and top-six coverage the next, it’ll be redeemed in 2021 in case it hasn’t already conveyed.
Who is to say the Grizzlies won’t be terrible in 2020-21?
But Memphis has uncovered a franchise anchor in 19-year-old Jaren Jackson Jr., who’s almost solely responsible for this ranking. The toughest task in rebuilding is incorporating celebrities, but the Grizzlies already seem to have found one. Jackson’s per-36-minute averages comprise 19.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.2 triples and 1.2 steals; that’s unprecedented production for an NBA freshman.
It would help if Jackson had more high-ceiling talent , but possibly Memphis could create a route to a this offseason. After shipping out Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies could cut the cord on the grit-and-grind era for good with a commerce of Mike Conley, whose title bounced around a lot near the trade deadline.
Könyvek vétele, eladása.