It should be an interesting off season for the Memphis Grizzlies. They have loads of young talent and plenty of trade bait to work with. Meanwhile, their biggest need is on the interior, especially after losing star Power Forward Pau Gasol. They also have the second lowest payroll in the NBA at just over $52,000,000 [Source: HoopsHype.com]. That includes Kwame Brown's $9 million contract, which expires this summer.
There's still much controversy over the Grizzlies trading of Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers after the 2008 All Star Break. Memphis received numerous young players and cap room, but most believe the trade was lopsided in LA's favor. Recently, even Grizzlies owners Michael Heisley has begun to question whether or not they made the right move.
“I don’t know if I got the most value,” Heisley said. “Maybe our people should’ve shopped (Gasol) more and maybe we would’ve gotten more, done a better deal. Maybe Chris did call every team in the league. I don’t think he did, but maybe he should’ve…” [Source: Yahoo Sports].
Nevertheless, with prospects like Rudy Gay, Mike Conley, Hakim Warrick and others, the Grizzlies have a bright future. They'll likely continue to look for young talent and cap room as they continue to develop their core unit. As the summer begins, they'll be eyeing a post player in the worst way.
Free Agent Watch
Typically the high-paid free agents aren't picked up by the low-end teams. Memphis had the second worst record in the Western Conference, winning just 22 games. If they sign anyone, it will likely be a mid-range or low-range post player with upside. They'll like try to re-sign Guard Juan Carlos Navarro.
2008 NBA Draft
The Grizzlies have some options to play around with regarding their top draft pick. Memphis holds the fifth overall pick and some believe they may use their stock pile of young talent to fabricate a trade to move up in the draft order. Rumor has it that they may shop their fifth pick and a combination of point guard Kyle Lowry or Mike Miller. If they keep the pick, they may look for a big man. The top post players who will likely be available are Brook Lopez, Kevin Love and Anthony Randolph.
Lopez may be the most offensively skilled of the three, but NBA Scouts are starting to question his toughness and whether or not he can make the transition to the NBA. After all, many of the things they say about Lopez's game they once said about Chris Mihm's game.
Nobody's questioning Kevin Love's toughness. He's strong and should be ready to bang with the big boys of the NBA right away. Yet, there are lots of questions about his athleticism and ability to guard quicker players on the perimeter. He does have a 15-20 foot jump shot, but his foot speed is lacking.
Anthony Randolph has the most raw potential of the three, but he needs a lot of seasoning. He needs to improve his outside touch and continue to get stronger. However, he does remind scouts of Chris Bosh.
If the Grizzlies don't draft a big man, it may mean that guards O.J. Mayo or Jerryd Bayless slipped. If the Grizzlies take either of them, look for them to make other maneuvers to land a post presence.
Trade Opportunities
Memphis will try to leverage their surplus of perimeter players as much as possible to acquire an inside guy. Forward/Guard Mike Miller and Point Guard Kyle Lowry may be the first two shopped. With the emergence of Rudy Gay, Miller has become expendable. In addition, Mike Conley and Javaris Crittenton holding down the point guard position make Kyle Lowry expendable. They may try to package Lowry's $1-$2 million contract with Forward Brian Cardinal's near $6 million contract. Cardinal's been plagued with injuries since he joined the Grizzlies and they've been trying to deal him ever since. Cardinal's contract doesn't expire until 2010.
Memphis will likely try to build around Rudy Gay and Mike Conley, while using Mike Miller and Kyle Lowry as their primary trade assets. Don't expect them to take on much salary, though, meaning it looks like another rebuilding year for the Grizzlies.
