Memphis Grizzlies: 2018-19 NBA season preview
By Luke Swiatek
2018-19 roster
Key additions: Jaren Jackson Jr. (draft), Jevon Carter (draft), Kyle Anderson (free agency), Omri Casspi (free agency), Garrett Temple (trade), Shelvin Mack (free agency)
Key subtractions: Tyreke Evans (free agency), James Ennis III (free agency), Ben McLemore (trade), Deyonta Davis (trade), Jarell Martin (trade), Mario Chalmers (free agency)
The major departures from the team include Jarell Martin (traded to the Orlando Magic), Mario Chalmers (still a free agent), James Ennis III (signed with the Houston Rockets), and Ben McLemore and Deyonta Davis (traded to the Sacramento Kings).
Of course, the number one guy that it hurts to see leave is Tyreke Evans, who signed with the Indiana Pacers. The Memphis Grizzlies turned down offers for him at the trade deadline, and they ended up not getting any assets in return for the 19.4 PPG-scoring wing. However, none of the other guys who left are really that big of a blow. At least, not when compared to who’s coming in.
Orlando Magic assist leader Shelvin Mack is a better backup point guard than Mario Chalmers. Garrett Temple is a marginal upgrade over Ben McLemore on the wing. Kyle Anderson isn’t as dynamic of an athlete or scorer as Evans, but he’s a solid playmaker who might be able to get others involved a little more than Evans did.
Of course, all of this is burying the lede: the biggest boons to the roster are having a healthy Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons, and adding Jaren Jackson Jr. The veterans should be able to add the team to a low playoff seed by themselves, and adding the No. 4 pick in the draft just increases the team’s ceiling.