While Mike Conley is expected to return to the Grizzlies‘ starting lineup in 2018/19 after missing nearly all of the 2017/18 campaign with foot issues, Memphis will still need to identify a backup for Conley at point guard. Peter Edmison of The Commercial Appeal examines the candidates for the role, including incumbent Andrew Harrison, veteran Shelvin Mack, and rookie Jevon Carter.
In Edmison’s view, Harrison has earned the first opportunity to claim the backup job. Although Mack could see action, especially if Carter – who suffered a thumb injury – isn’t ready to start the season, Edmison doesn’t view the veteran as a player the Grizzlies needed, unless they want to cover their bases in the event that Conley’s return is slower than anticipated.
With Mack on a guaranteed contract, the Grizzlies now have 15 players on guaranteed salaries, plus Harrison’s non-guaranteed deal. Assuming Memphis plans to retain Harrison, the club will have to trade or release another player before the regular season gets underway.
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- The Grizzlies didn’t have any cap space to work with this offseason, but they made some savvy, under-the-radar moves, according to Matt John of Basketball Insiders. John praises the additions of players like Garrett Temple and Omri Casspi, who are capable of providing much-needed depth in Memphis.
- Given the crowded nature of the Mavericks‘ backcourt, the addition of Devin Harris may seem somewhat extraneous. However, Harris figures to serve as a mentor for a group that includes Dennis Smith Jr., Luka Doncic, and Jalen Brunson, writes Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News.
- Appearing on the HoopsHype podcast with Alex Kennedy, Pelicans guard E’Twaun Moore admitted that he wasn’t shocked by DeMarcus Cousins‘ departure this offseason, though he was caught off guard when Rajon Rondo signed elsewhere. “I thought he was going to stay for sure,” Moore said of Rondo, per Ashish Mathur of AmicoHoops.
Julius Randle is going to be so good on the Pelicans, I can’t wait to see it.
He would’ve been good anywhere. I wanted my Mavs to value him more than they did.
I wonder what the rotation would be like for AD, Randle, and Mirotic. I feel like AD and Mirotic will be the best front court combination; I doubt Randle would be better than Mirotic alongside AD. Will Pels try to play all 3 in the same lineup? Does Randle fit as C alongside Mirotic as PF? If both are no, then Randle would struggle to find minutes.
There is no way Randle does not start.
So that pushes Mirotic to the bench?
Mirotic will be bench player. I never like him. Inconsistence shooter. I love when my bulls trade himm
Agree Randle would have been good anywhere, a real shame Lakers didn’t keep him… oh well, what can you do? Just hope he has a great season.