NBA: Ranking the teams in the Southwest Division for 2017-18

4. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies streak of making the playoffs seven consecutive years is in serious jeopardy this season.

Besides Conley and Gasol, there isn’t very much to this team. Vince Carter, Tony Allen and Zach Randolph all bolted for other teams this summer and JaMychal Green remains unsigned.

They brought in a trio of wings and guards to try to supplement some of that lost talent.

Former Rookie of the Year winner Tyreke Evans will suit up for the team next year. In 2016-17 he averaged 10.3 points per game between the Pelicans and Sacramento Kings. However, he typically hunts for his own shot and rarely looks to get others involved. He also doesn’t possess the outside shooting ability and defensive prowess that would best fit Memphis.

Ben McLemore is another wing they signed this summer. He’s underachieved all four years of his career in Sacramento (seeing a theme?) and hopes a change of scenery can jumpstart him. If he can continue to build upon his 3-point shooting percentage, as he’s done every year, he should be able to help the team off the bench.

The third player of note, Mario Chalmers, didn’t play in the NBA last year. Before that, however, he spent the last 55 games of the 2015-16 season with the Grizzlies. He should still have something left in the tank and will bring some level of familiarity to the squad. He will be able to play some of the backup point guard minutes and slide over to the 2 when needed.

Don’t expect much from this Grizzlies squad as they meander through mediocrity and compete with the Mavs for last place in the division.