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Memphis Grizzlies: 4 alternative universes where they don’t sign Chandler Parsons

By Parker Fleming

Feb 26, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons (25) stretches before the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons (25) stretches before the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox (0) looks to pass the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox (0) looks to pass the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Bye-bye, GNG! KABOOM! FOX AND THE HOUND!

In Chandler Parsons’ decision-making process, he met with two teams: the Blazers and the Grizzlies. If he were to go to Portland, the Grizzlies would be in trouble.

The rest of the top small forwards were pretty much gone. Nicolas Batum and Kent Bazemore would be back on their respective teams. Kevin Durant would still be chasing rings in Golden State. With Parsons gone, the Mavericks would turn to Harrison Barnes, leaving the Grizzlies with … Evan Turner as their best option. Yeah, that won’t cut it.

Meanwhile, Conley would be on his way to San Antonio after seeing Memphis fail to surround him with more talent. Then, they would turn to the free agency to replace him. After Conley, the next best point guards would be Rajon Rondo and Jeremy Lin – both solid lead guards but couldn’t lead the Grizz to the playoffs. Memphis tries to somewhat gear up for a playoff run by signing Jeremy Lin and bringing back Matt Barnes.

Without their star point guard, the Grizzlies would undergo a slow start because of their new schemes, leading to an inevitable teardown. They decide to pull the trigger and move Marc Gasol to Boston for Jae Crowder, Amir Johnson and the Brooklyn picks. Then, they find ways to get rid of both Zach Randolph and Tony Allen to dive into a full-blown youth movement.

Related Story: Debating the Future (and a blowup) for the Grizz

After finishing with the worst record in the West, the Grizzlies would keep their top-five protected pick, obtaining the two highest odds for both draft picks. They would proceed to acquire the second and fourth picks, selecting Josh Jackson and De’Aaron Fox with them.

It’s an ugly mess that certainly isn’t ideal, but a nucleus of Wade Baldwin, Fox, Jackson and Deyonta Davis would be promising, as all have the potential to hound and harass opponents on defense. Once you add in another top-5 pick from Brooklyn, there would be a bright future ahead for Memphis. — Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA)

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