Memphis Grizzlies turn attention to next season

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

Grizzlies needs:

1 - Impact Player @ PF
2 - Veteran Depth at 1,2,3 (obtaining by parting with cap space/flexibility and/or draft pick trades)
2a - Wise use (whether by selection or trade) of 3 draft picks

That's it in a nutshell!

[SD2042]

I believe we all agree to what GGF stated above and sounds obtainable. The Grizzlies will have to get these done since they have more cap shedding off the books. They have to sign some quality players to meet the miminum NBA salary cap rules.

[Downtown]

I agree 100% with GGF and SD2042. And yes, it sounds attainable. The only thing I might add is that a couple of those veterans should be high character, leadership types that can not only play but have a strong lockeroom presence, and aren't primadonnas that can't take a backseat to the young starters without whining about playing time.

As a Sonics fan I watched the turmoil between Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour, then going to Damien Wilkens and Chris Wilcox all going to the press about the lack of minutes they were getting and how it took the team down and caused a huge distraction.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

The only thing I might add is that a couple of those veterans should be high character, leadership types that can not only play but have a strong lockeroom presence, and aren't primadonnas that can't take a backseat to the young starters without whining about playing time.

Huge thumbs up to this observation. The Grizz need some Battier/Posey type glue guys. (Post Grizz Posey - the one with 2 rings)

[SD2042]

+1

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Raps fan here - Assuming that you have a sense for how Chris Wallace operates, if Chris Wallace had a choice between Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh, who do you think he would choose? What package do you think he would be willing to put together for Bosh or Amare?

[Downtown]

That's a big question. But you need to remember what Lionel Hollins said when asked about the offer of Stoudemire to the Grizzlies at the trade deadline. He said straight up that if they gave up the package that Phoenix wanted there would be no surrounding cast left for Stoudemire and what would be the use of trading for a great player when he would ultimately be unhappy at the situation of having no one left of much caliber to play with(besides Mayo)?

So I assume you would be looking at Rudy Gay and the Grizzlies pick at the least for Chris Bosh. That tin itself is fine but I wouldn't include Mayo, Gasol, or Conley, which I'm sure defeats the whole purpose from your point of view. And the biggest reason is that Bosh could end up being a one year rental with his expiring contract so no GM would give up the farm for that even though Bosh is a terrific player.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

I understand the Grizzlies' side of things--I would not give up much either other than what you offered (R.Gay, pick(s)) for a guy who might be a 1 year rental like you said. The thing I'm curious about is your cap space--if your team can parlay some of that cap space onto us, I think there is something there to work with. And that begs the question, do the Grizzlies really want to give up roughly more than half that cap space to get Bosh, when you might try to invest it in Varejao, Millsap, trade for a PF by taking on a big contract....so you guys have a lot of flexibility to do multiple things, so I'm interested in seeing what C. Wallace does.

[I Am Awesome-O]

I understand the Grizzlies' side of things--I would not give up much either other than what you offered (R.Gay, pick(s)) for a guy who might be a 1 year rental like you said. The thing I'm curious about is your cap space--if your team can parlay some of that cap space onto us, I think there is something there to work with. And that begs the question, do the Grizzlies really want to give up roughly more than half that cap space to get Bosh, when you might try to invest it in Varejao, Millsap, trade for a PF by taking on a big contract....so you guys have a lot of flexibility to do multiple things, so I'm interested in seeing what C. Wallace does.

Well, that depends. If he was willing to sign an extension with Memphis (unlikely), then yes, they would. Superstar PFs don't grow on trees. However, if he told Grizzlies management that he would walk in 2010 (likely), talks about acquiring him would stop immediately.

[It_Was_Typed]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but I am suggesting these moves for the good of the Grizzlies.

1. Trade Rudy Gay and Marko Jaric for Tayshaun Prince, Arron Afflalo and a future pick.
2. Draft Earl Clark.
3. Trade Orlando's pick for Steve Blake.
4. Hope Carlos Boozer doesn't opt out of his contract.
5. Sign Paul Millsap to a 5 year $45-50M contract.
6. Renounce Hakim Warrick's rights.

Roster
Marc Gasol
Paul Millsap
Tayshaun Prince
OJ Mayo
Mike Conley

Hamed Haddadi
Darko Milicic
Darrell Arthur
Earl Clark
Greg Buckner
Arron Afflalo
Steve Blake

Basically my whole approach was to get rid of the losers on the team (Gay and Warrick) and add some tough, experienced veterans (Prince, Millsap, Blake) to help mentor the young core.