What will the Grizzlies look like next season?

[Snoopie]

The team that we have made it to the WCF and, although being swept, put up a great challenge for the Spurs in 3 out of the 4 games. The most striking weakness in our team is quite obviously offense. So after looking through our team, player contracts, and the rest of that, I am of the opinion that our team will looking something like this next season:

Coach: Lionel Hollins. I get that people are saying he has had his shot and all the rest of it, but I think it would be a travesty to our team if he didn't get re-signed. Hollins, along with TA, have formed an identity for our team that was good enough to bring us to the WCF. I think he deserves another shot with a more mature, more experienced, lineup.

Starters:

PG: Mike Conley. No question about his security in our team.

SG: Tony Allen. TA is a free agent, but I would be extremely surprised if he wasn't offered a new contract and if he didn't take it. He is the heart and soul of the Memphis Grizzlies.

SF: Quincy Pondexter. I think he has shown enough to at least get a shot at being a starter. If we had started him over Prince in the Spurs series, who knows what might have happened. He is a 3-point threat and he plays decent defense. Give him a shot, I say!

PF: Ed Davis. I am of the firm belief that Z-Bo is going to dealt during the off-season. If the Grizzlies head office didn't like Gay's contract then they will obviously feel the same about Z-Bo's contract, in my mind. I will be disappointed, but not so disappointed given the fact that we have Davis (who is already ahead of Arthur IMO) to take over.

C: Marc Gasol. Same as Conley. He is the cornerstone of our team.

Bench:

6th Man: I don't know who to put here as I think it will be someone not currently in our team. We need someone who will be more of an offensive threat than Bayless is and I think that Bayless is going to exercise his player option anyway. He is in for about $3 million if he stays but he showed enough this year, I believe, that he will think he can secure a 2-3 year deal somewhere else. No great loss if he goes, IMO. With Prince being pushed off my starting roster he could be a candidate for 6th man, but I highly doubt it would happen. He is atrocious offensively and I think is much better suited as a role player.

Role Player: Tayshaun Prince. As I said, I think he is better off in the 2nd unit as a role player who is brought on for specific defensive assignments. Nothing more and nothing less.

Role Player: Darrell Arthur. I don't see much changing for Darrell. If Z-Bo leaves like I think he will, I believe that Arthur will still be 2nd choice PF behind Ed Davis.

Bench Warmers/Limited Minutes: Tony Wroten, Jon Leuer, Keyon Dooling.

Wroten has shown enough that I doubt he will get traded. Probably has enough potential for a staring PG position one day but needs to work on his game a LOT right now. Leuer has a qualifying offer worth $1 million - I see no reason why he won't get it. Is a bit of a nothing player right now anyway. Dooling is an UFA but I wouldn't be surprised if he was offered another contract this year. He provided good energy off the bench and has veteran experience.

Others: Austin Daye is currently up for a qualifying offer of about $4 million. I would be flabbergasted if it wasn't withdrawn given how little Hollins used him.

[dark-child]

Very interesting piece,

Do you mind giving your thoughts on what the Grizz would receive for Z-BO, because other than placing Quincy in the starting lineup the lack of shooting was not addressed, so maybe what ever pieces in that particular deal could net quality fillers?

[vanjulio]

I think a lot of the people saying Bayless is going to opt out haven't gotten used to the new CBA. There isn't that much cash going around to waste on a guy that is at best a 6th man

[dark-child]

I think a lot of the people saying Bayless is going to opt out haven't gotten used to the new CBA. There isn't that much cash going around to waste on a guy that is at best a 6th man

Granted he may not expect that much of a raise but he can get a multi year deal from a hand full of teams pretty easily. Plus if Hollins stays he will leave just to have a coach who would not want to beat his #$%!

[Snoopie]

Very interesting piece,

Do you mind giving your thoughts on what the Grizz would receive for Z-BO, because other than placing Quincy in the starting lineup the lack of shooting was not addressed, so maybe what ever pieces in that particular deal could net quality fillers?

It's hard to say who we would get but I think that getting rid of Z-Bo would be to free up cap space more than anything so we can chase after a free agent. Role players plus draft picks would probably get the job done for our head office and then with the spare cash we could go after your pure shooter type to fill the 6th man role who can score 15-20 per night. Bayeless was good for 20 points on occasion, if he got hot, but what we really need is someone who will do it consistently, night in-night out.

There are a number of good free agent shooters this off-season and I always thought that we should have chased Redick when he was obviously going to be dealt by Orlando. He is now an UFA so it's something to think about if we can free enough cap space. Jarrett Jack is another UFA who could fill the 20 points per night criteria and he's a good passer too. I think Jennings and Ellis are RFA/UFA too, but I wouldn't want them at the Grizzlies. OJ Mayo opted out of his deal with the Mavs and wouldn't it be funny if we signed him up again? But no. I don't want that either. Kevin Martin anyone?

[BD12]

Go hard after Nate Robinson please! Looks like CHI can't afford him

[Snoopie]

Another thing I read somewhere is that the Cavs are apparently interested in trading their #1 pick for a forward. Which makes sense considering the state of their current frontcourt.

Would we be interested in that for Z-Bo, if the Cavs were interested in him? It would free up cash for us to chase a UFA and we'd get our choice of this year's lottery in an albeit weak draft..

[BD12]

Another thing I read somewhere is that the Cavs are apparently interested in trading their #1 pick for a forward. Which makes sense considering the state of their current frontcourt.

Would we be interested in that for Z-Bo, if the Cavs were interested in him? It would free up cash for us to chase a UFA and we'd get our choice of this year's lottery in an albeit weak draft..

Cleveland has a lot of depth at F/C with Varajeo, Thompson, Zeller, and Speights so I don't understand this rumour. Zach would be an excellent fit next to Varajeo though.

Another FA the Grizzlies should really go after is Jose Calderon. Good floor general, brings outside shooting, great with pick and rolls and the Spanish connection with Marc.

[Snoopie]

Cleveland has a lot of depth, but I wouldn't necessarily say their depth is good. Behind Varajeo they've got a string of 2nd-3rd tier players... Only Zeller really has the potential to be anything more IMO, but that is still a few years away based on what I saw this year. That's how I see it anyway... as you say though, Varajeo/Z-Bo front court would be as imposing as Z-Bo/Gasol - maybe more so.

Calderon is a good player, but I reckon if we wanted him we would have taken him when we dealt Gay. Plus, he would play behind Conley and that is a waste of talent for Calderon.. just like he was being wasted in Toronto playing behind Lowry..

[BD12]

Cleveland has a lot of depth, but I wouldn't necessarily say their depth is good. Behind Varajeo they've got a string of 2nd-3rd tier players... Only Zeller really has the potential to be anything more IMO, but that is still a few years away based on what I saw this year. That's how I see it anyway... as you say though, Varajeo/Z-Bo front court would be as imposing as Z-Bo/Gasol - maybe more so.

Calderon is a good player, but I reckon if we wanted him we would have taken him when we dealt Gay. Plus, he would play behind Conley and that is a waste of talent for Calderon.. just like he was being wasted in Toronto playing behind Lowry..

True say regarding the Calderon snippet. They really someone not named Keyon Dooling to be their backup PG. Hopefully Hollins has a little more faith in Wroten next season because I honestly thought he played well for the most part in his limited playing time.

If not Calderon, I think Alan Anderson would be a great pick-up as a 6th man.

[jumivi]

mnnmm. so if we had Gay, we can trade for 1st pick to Cleveland?

Conley, McLemore, Pondexter, Randolph, Marc...

[dark-child]

Cleveland is looking for a high quality 3 for the #1 pick not a 4 that will slow the development of Tristan Thompson and Zeller. Although I do think we can get a 1st rounder in THIS YEARS DRAFT for Z-BO and as
high as the #4 given the Bobcats really don't need to get any younger on the wings and they are not getting low post scoring like they would if they traded for Zach. They really need to start winning now.

Therefore, getting back on topic; The Grizz will be without Hollins and Randolph next year is my humble opinion.
At every turn the new ownership has implemented their vision and they will not hesitate this summer and some parts just don't fit.

[BleedGreen1989]

I could see Jason Terry being a solid fit. Provide the 6th man role and space the floor. Shot 37% from 3pt and averaged 10 points and 3 assists. Would be surprised to see Boston deal him but I think Memphis would be one of the few places he'd be ok with.

[dark-child]

I could see Jason Terry being a solid fit. Provide the 6th man role and space the floor. Shot 37% from 3pt and averaged 10 points and 3 assists. Would be surprised to see Boston deal him but I think Memphis would be one of the few places he'd be ok with.

You are spot on, with this likelihood but I placed a caveat on JT because Courtney Lee has stronger ties to our current front office so they may be more comfortable with him instead of Jason Terry. I have one of the two and Jeff Green going to Memphis in exchange for Z-BO. This type of deal makes sense if both Garnet and Pierce stay for the upcoming season. Jeff Green provides a lot of versatility for the Grizz as he can play the 3 or the 4 and he has 3 point range. The front office is really big on versatility and his contract fits more perfectly in a small market as your potential third best player. Courtney Lee provides you protection in the event there is any issue with resigning Tony Allen and he is capable of hitting an outside shot and is not as big of a drop off defensively.

[BleedGreen1989]

I could see Jason Terry being a solid fit. Provide the 6th man role and space the floor. Shot 37% from 3pt and averaged 10 points and 3 assists. Would be surprised to see Boston deal him but I think Memphis would be one of the few places he'd be ok with.

You are spot on, with this likelihood but I placed a caveat on JT because Courtney Lee has stronger ties to our current front office so they may be more comfortable with him instead of Jason Terry. I have one of the two and Jeff Green going to Memphis in exchange for Z-BO. This type of deal makes sense if both Garnet and Pierce stay for the upcoming season. Jeff Green provides a lot of versatility for the Grizz as he can play the 3 or the 4 and he has 3 point range. The front office is really big on versatility and his contract fits more perfectly in a small market as your potential third best player. Courtney Lee provides you protection in the event there is any issue with resigning Tony Allen and he is capable of hitting an outside shot and is not as big of a drop off defensively.

Honestly, I don't see Danny Ainge trading Jeff Green for much of anything short of an absolute steal. He is probably higher on him than most GM's around the league. Not to mention you're very own Hollinger called Jeff Green's contract last year the "worst contract of the off-season".

I think Green is proving him and a lot of people wrong as he really came on strong after he felt comfortable and looked to be a huge part of the Celtics future.

I'm willing to bet Jason Terry could be had for the TPE. Boston has a logjam at guard when everybody is healthy anyways and it would allow them to upgrade in the front court.

Unless Memphis is down for a Courtney Lee for Ed Davis swap.

[dark-child]

Ed Davis will not be moved as they traded for him specifically
to replace Randolph when he is moved.

[Snoopie]

Yeah I'm happy to have Davis starting for us because he looked really good as a starter for Toronto.. limitless potential... although I'd still be upset if we deal Z-Bo...

[PAGrizzFan]

I say give this team another run with Joerger as the coach.

Need to bring in two shooters along with Quincy, mean Bayless isn't coming back. My top options are in order including chance we get him.
Randy Foye PG/SG
Martell Webster SF
Brandon Rush SG
Nick Young SG
Ben Gordon SG
Devin Harris SG
Kyle Korver SF
Matt Barnes SF
Cough OJ Mayo SG Cough

Make Ed Davis the first big man off the bench. Give Wroten the back-up PG job considering he earns it in Summer League and develops somewhat of a job. Make Jon Leuer develop an outside shot and be exactly like Bonner/Novak. I think Leuer can do this as well and would be HUGE. Have Prince practice the heck out of the corner 3 all summer.

PG:Conley, Wroten, Foye
SG: TA, Foye, Rush
SF: Pondexter, Prince
PF: ZBo, Davis, Leuer
C: Gasol, DA

[jefe]

Yeah I'm happy to have Davis starting for us because he looked really good as a starter for Toronto.. limitless potential... although I'd still be upset if we deal Z-Bo...

I've seen the stats he put up in Toronto, but his game (to the extent I've seen it in Memphis) doesn't seem to be starter material IMO. He has little-to-no offensive moves and is only effective on the defensive end as a help defender.

[Snoopie]

Yeah I'm happy to have Davis starting for us because he looked really good as a starter for Toronto.. limitless potential... although I'd still be upset if we deal Z-Bo...

I've seen the stats he put up in Toronto, but his game (to the extent I've seen it in Memphis) doesn't seem to be starter material IMO. He has little-to-no offensive moves and is only effective on the defensive end as a help defender.

I agree with that from what we've seen of him in Memphis.. but I think that can partly be attributed to playing in a different system and the pressure of having to prove himself to a new coach. From what I saw of the Toronto games vs the Memphis games, he was a lot more reserved when playing with us and I think that was due mostly to the reasons I stated above.

I think that at the very least he deserves a chance to start at PF based on what he did in Toronto. Of course that's only if we get rid of Z-bo. If Z-bo stays then Davis will have the same impact he had this season with us - none.