Memphis Grizzlies: 2018-19 NBA season preview

Predictions

As previously mentioned, the number of vets on this team means they’re unlikely to really suck. Even projecting minor injuries and age-related regression for Conley and Gasol, this team isn’t that bad. I’d take the upside of Anderson and Jackson over Tyreke Evans and Jarrell Martin any day. the younger players like Dillon Brooks should only get better as well, and the rest of the bench has been upgraded too.

Other playoff hopefuls are mostly inexperienced (Minnesota Timberwolves minus Jimmy Butler, Dallas Mavericks), mismatched into a team that’s doesn’t fit well (Los Angeles Clippers), only have one real star (Denver Nuggets), or all three (Los Angeles Lakers). An experienced, balanced, cohesive team like the Memphis Grizzlies could have an advantage over all of them.

Of course, even if Jackson has a Donovan Mitchell or Ben Simmons-type impact in his first year (unlikely, since Jackson is more of a glue guy than a featured player), the team still doesn’t have a ton of upside. Their top players are at the tail end of their career, and they are what they are at this point.

The Grizzlies could sneak into the playoffs, but the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets simply have too great of a talent advantage for Memphis to go very far. Our final prediction: A 44-38 record to snag the 8-seed in the West, followed by a five-game exit in the first round of the playoffs.