Memphis Grizzlies: 3 takeaways from the 2018 offseason
1. Fighting back into the playoffs
As I noted previously, the Grizzlies haven’t been lucky when it comes to the injury bug. With a completely healthy squad, this is an exciting team that will fight tooth and nail to win. Having Conley and Parsons back in the fold will boost their chances of making it into the latter half of the playoffs.
Longtime Grizzly Marc Gasol will continue to hold it down from the center position and lend his knowledge to newcomer Jaren Jackson Jr. A potential starting five of Conley, Brooks, Anderson, Jackson and Gasol sounds like a competent squad on paper, should they jell together.
The majority of this team is the same as 2017-18, which is good for team chemistry going forward. The Grizzlies traded for veteran Garrett Temple, who is a solid option off the bench. As the younger players become seasoned, this team will show improvement each game.
If Jackson isn’t ready early on, the Grizzlies have competent vets in the rotation that can fit the bill in the starting lineup. The depth Memphis has for the 2018-19 season will help lessen the effects of a taxing NBA season.
Next. 2018 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far. dark
Grizzlies fans should look for this team to make some noise next season as a dark horse candidate to make the playoffs. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has experience in the position, as he was the interim head coach for the 2015-16 Houston Rockets that finished eighth in the West. The Memphis Grizzlies have all the making of a solid team and with a veteran coach, their future is bright.