2009 Offseason for the Grizzlies

[ctorres]

The Grizzlies only have around $36 million in salaries for next season. That will give them over $20 million in cap room to throw around at free agents. There is going to be a lot of competition for free agents in 2010, but very little for 2009. Are the Grizzlies considering using 2009 to improve the team rather than wait on 2010?

The Grizzlies have OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay, and Marc Gasol as the three main building blocks on the team right now. There have been too many trade rumors involving Mike Conley Jr., therefore I can't put him on the same level as the previous three guys I mentioned.

2009 is packed with veteran talent. I have listed the top unrestricted free agents available at each position:

G:
Andre Miller
Allen Iverson
Mike Bibby
Jason Kidd
Ben Gordon

F:
Lamar Odom
Shawn Marion
Ron Artest
Rasheed Wallace
Antonio McDyess
Drew Gooden
Chris Wilcox
Joe Smith
Trevor Ariza
Grant Hill
Keith Bogans
Brandon Bass

C:
Chris Andersen
Zaza Pachulia

The Grizzlies could split their cap room between Andre Miller and Lamar Odom. Anything extra could be used on role players. Wouldn't this make the Grizzlies relevant in the West?

PG: Andre Miller
SG: OJ Mayo
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Lamar Odom
C: Marc Gasol

I'm just throwing in my two cents as an outsider (Knicks/Suns fan).

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

Cap space + draft pick (depending on how hard the lottery gods mock the Grizz this year) + developing young core could well make the Grizz relevant again much sooner than later - especially with so many teams looking to get a lean as possible for the summer of 2010. That being said, it all depends on how the front office chooses to use the cap space.

[Downtown]

I think your last sentence is the big question. Does Heisley give the okay to use the cap space and go for a couple of highend free agents or does he keep the team salary down and try to go with the draft pick plus perhaps a couple of lesser free agents to fill in some depth?

Only he knows for sure and with the attendance being poor I wouldn't rule out him saying to Wallace to go another year of developing the young core with a high pick and a couple of veteran journeymen added to get the salary into the mid to high $40mil mark. I think I just read where Heisley commented that with the way he's losing money with poor attendance it makes no sense to trade right now unless they're sure they can get someone who can lead them deep into the playoffs. And we know they are a long ways from that so I read between the lines it meaning they will stand pat this season and see what's available to them this summer once they have a better idea of their needs after the draft.

But Lamar Odom would be a very good addition. The guy is as versatile as there is. Inside, outside, rebounding, passing, shooting, experience in big games, etc. I might be supportive of signing him depending on how the draft goes.

I have said earlier this season that the Grizzlies need a big upgrade at pointguard but after watching how Conley has improved under Lionel Hollins I have to wonder if Iavoroni had somehow held him back and perhaps Conley could be the player people thought he would be coming out of college. My mind isn't made up on that one.

So the options abound for the 2009 offseason. But unless Michael Heisley states his intentions all we can do is guess whether or not he's prepared to spend what it takes to try and win. My guess at this point is Conley, Mayo, Gay, and Gasol are the solid core, and all will get plenty of playing time again next season. A high draft pick could yield a power forward or a combo player such as a Jrue Holiday, Stephen Curry(maybe a little high for where Memphis might pick), Greg Monroe, or even a Terrence Williams. I honestly don't know. But the question for me is will they have Lowry, Milicic and Warrick(qualifying offer or match another teams offer) back, and if not which mid level players will they look at for depth?

Now you've got me thinking about Lamar Odom.

[ctorres]

Wow, only 2 replies? I can make the same thread on another team's forum and get more responses than this.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

http://boards.grizzliesonline.com/index.php?showforum=5

[It_Was_Typed]

I think the offseason all depends on how the Grizzlies view Rudy Gay and Mike Conley's future with the Grizzlies.