Western Conference Power Rankings after week 1 of free agency
By Austin McGee
8. Memphis Grizzlies
Draft Picks: Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells
Offseason Acquisitions: None
Departures: None
Usually, running it back after winning 27 games isn't the best recipe for success. However, the Memphis Grizzlies are in a different boat. Of the Grizzlies' best players, Ja Morant only appeared in nine games, Desmond Bane 42, Jaren Jackson Jr. 66, and Marcus Smart 20.
Memphis lost Steven Adams prior to last season and never truly replaced him. However, the Grizzlies drafted lumbering big man Zach Edey with the ninth overall selection in the draft. Memphis may roll out Edey alongside Jackson Jr. to feature one of the more versatile two-big lineups in the league.
Despite not adding any free agents (thus far), the Grizzlies will essentially enter the 2024-25 season as if it were last year. Last offseason's acquisition, Smart, only suited up alongside franchise star, Morant, for six games.
Although the new era Grit and Grind may be a tad undersized, the athleticism and hustle will outshine the lack of size sans Edey. Memphis is versatile and led by one of the league's brightest young stars. An eighth-place finish might be the Grizzlies' floor if Memphis can get back on track.