The Memphis Grizzlies jumpstarted their rebuild by drafting Ja Morant and are ready to make a leap. Here are 3 bold predictions for the 2020-21 NBA season.
The Memphis Grizzlies avoided a teardown for years, stretching out the Grit-and-Grind era for as long as possible. When they did finally begin their teardown, they spent just two seasons picking at the top of the NBA Draft. Those two drafts yielded three core players that have the Grizzlies back in the postseason mix already.
That sort of turnaround for a small market team is unusual, and it overstates that this team needs time to grow into its potential. Even so, it has a special combination of players. Point guard Ja Morant stepped into the league on day one like he owned the joint en route to winning Rookie of the Year. He was joined on the All-Rookie First Team by fellow first-round pick Brandon Clarke. The Grizzlies were led in 3-pointers by their center of the future Jaren Jackson Jr.
Surrounding this young core are a selection of undervalued rotation pieces, from D’Anthony Melton to Tyus Jones to Dillon Brooks. Jonas Valančiūnas has been a beast at the pivot. Ball-handling wing Justice Winslow is yet to make his debut for the team after a midseason trade last year.
Will the Memphis Grizzlies make a leap back into the playoffs this year? Can Morant continue his meteoric start to his career? And is the oft-injured Winslow a player to be excited about? Here are 3 bold predictions for Memphis in the 2020-21 NBA season.