The Grizzlies won 56 games last season, the second-highest total in the NBA, but were still viewed as something of an underdog entering the postseason. Their limited track record as a contender and their overall lack of playoff experience meant that most league observers considered them a long shot to make a run to the NBA Finals.
Memphis did win one playoff series, a six-game battle with the Timberwolves, then fell in the second round to the eventual champions, losing to Golden State in six games.
Rather than aggressively scouring free agency or the trade market for a potential missing piece in the offseason, the Grizzlies had a pretty quiet summer. In fact, they parted ways with two reliable rotation players, trading De’Anthony Melton to Philadelphia and letting Kyle Anderson walk in free agency, replacing them with a pair of first-round rookies, Jake LaRavia and David Roddy.
Given the Grizzlies’ lack of offseason upgrades – along with an expectation that they might be impacted by regression – enthusiasm for the team was somewhat muted entering the season. The Grizzlies were still expected to be a good team, but their preseason over/under projection of 49.5 wins only put them in a tie for fifth among Western Conference clubs.
Despite having dealt with injuries to multiple top players during the first third of the season, the Grizzlies have outperformed those preseason expectations so far, posting a 19-9 record that has them sitting atop the West, one game up on the 18-10 Pelicans.
Their beatdown of Milwaukee on Thursday was the Grizzlies’ most impressive victory yet, as Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal writes. Memphis built an eye-popping 50-point lead at one point against a Bucks team with championship aspirations, ultimately winning by 41 points.
The Grizzlies have played as well as they have even though Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. have only been available for 12 games apiece (none of which overlapped). Ja Morant, who has missed five games himself, has led the charge with another All-NBA caliber season, but he’s getting help from all over the roster.
Dillon Brooks is averaging nearly 18 points per game while handling the toughest perimeter defensive assignments; Steven Adams is dominating the offensive boards and defending opposing bigs; Tyus Jones has been his usual reliable self backing up Morant and occasionally stepping into the starting lineup to replace him; Santi Aldama and John Konchar are enjoying the best years of their respective careers, emerging as reliable role players; Roddy and Brandon Clarke have also played rotation roles, and the team has recently been reincorporating Ziaire Williams following an injury absence; finally, they still have Danny Green recovering from an ACL tear and hoping to contribute by the spring.
Now the question is whether there’s enough talent and experience on the roster to make Memphis a legitimate title contender in 2023.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe explored this question today in an Insider-only story, arguing that the emergence of Jackson as dominant two-way force gives the Grizzlies a real chance to come out of the West. The big man, whom Lowe describes as Memphis’ “wild card,” is averaging 3.3 blocks per game and can switch across all five positions on defense. He has also significantly improved his shooting percentages on offense and has posted a team-best +14.9 net rating.
Bane, meanwhile, was off to a scorching start to the season before injuring his toe, averaging career highs with 24.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. If the Grizzlies eventually get him healthy while keeping Morant, Jackson, and Brooks on the floor, their upside is scary.
Memphis has the ability to fortify its roster with a trade deadline move — the team has some extra draft assets, including Golden State’s lightly protected 2024 first-rounder. Lowe believes the Grizzlies should at least consider a “minor” deal to improve the back of their rotation, but we want to know what you think.
Do you view the Grizzlies as a serious contender to win the West, as currently constructed? Do you think they’re still another trade – or another year – away from making a deep playoff run? If you feel like they need to make a deal, what sort of piece should they be looking to add?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts!
So far they have had a very easy schedule. Last 20 games of the season will be tough for them.
Of course, they are a legit title contender. If they aren’t who is?
Celtics, Bucks, Warriors and Grizzlies are all definitely contenders. Then you have the Nuggets, , Suns, Pelicans, Cavs, and Sixers. All of them have a punchers chance. You can’t even totally count out the Clippers or the Nets.
It’s pretty wide open.
Most wide open it’s been in a long time.
IMO, they’ll finish 1st in the WC (regular season). Roster is very well constructed, with all kinds of depth, and reflective of their identity/culture front to back.
Only issues are whether they can identify their best 5 man unit, and whether that group can consistently close out games against the other top teams. I’d be cautious about making a trade, but open to it if they can add a veteran wing that can create his own shot.
They are a fun team to watch. Deep, young, talent, Grizzlies check a lot of boxes.