A perennial Western Conference playoff contender that fell off in a major way last season, the Memphis Grizzlies approach the 2018 season as one of the more enigmatic teams in the league.
A larger part of their struggles this past season can be attributed to the heel injury that plagued point guard Mike Conley. Conley missed all but 12 games last season and without their floor general, the Grizz finished 14th in the West with a paltry 20-62 record.
However, Conley is expected to be fully healthy this season but an influx of younger talent this summer could have Memphis thinking about a longterm rebuild. Conley recently discussed Memphis’ outlook, stating that this upcoming year could be ‘awkward.’ Following from Memphis Commercial Appeal’s Mark Giannotto:
“It’s different for me because for the last eight years, I came into every season thinking we have a chance to win at a high level,” the point guard said last week in Las Vegas at USA Basketball’s mini-camp. “This season, expectations are still try to be that playoff team, that team that comes out and really makes it tough on everybody. But it is an awkward year with so many teams getting so much better [with] different acquisitions they made in the offseason.”
With an interesting blend of veteran experience and raw, youthful talent, there’s no doubt the Grizzlies will find themselves in a peculiar position this season.
Mike Conley and All-Star center Marc Gasol give the team the requisite stability to be a playoff contender but the Grizzlies may be focused on years down the road. The Western Conference is packed now more than ever and the offseason additions of prized rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. and free agent forward Kyle Anderson may mean Memphis is more interested in building a foundation for years to come.
Either way, the Grizzlies will be stuck between borderline playoff contention and an all-out rebuild this coming season. With no clear direction, we could potentially see some roster shakeup depending on how the current squad meshes through the first half of the campaign.
