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5 Things Memphis Grizzlies Can Learn from Toronto Raptors’ Path to NBA Finals

By AJ Salah

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 19: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball as Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena of January 19, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 19: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball as Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena of January 19, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Address Needs in Transactions

There is a relatively consistent pattern to most of the trades Masai Ujiri has made at the helm of the Toronto Raptors.

When he first arrived, Toronto needed to cleanse itself of past failures, so he immediately dealt the under-performing Andrea Bargnani.

Later, the Raptors were suffering from a lack of defensive toughness and athletic size, so he traded for (former) All-Defensive big Serge Ibaka.

When the Raptors’ playoff ceiling needed to be raised by a superstar, Ujiri snared the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard.

And when the Raptors needed a touch of ball movement, playoff experience and floor spacing, Ujiri condensed their vast bench in pilfering Marc Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies.

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Virtually any time Ujiri has shaken up his roster, it has been with a very specific purpose in mind: addressing the Raptors’ most glaring need. While doing so, he has managed to weave a delicate balance of current and future assets. Toronto’s roster is equal parts established impact players (Leonard, Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka), and upside-ready young guns (Siakam, VanVleet, Anunoby, Norman Powell).

Set up well for both the present and future, the Raptors possess few holes because each trade has patched up leaks. Memphis tried doing this last year with the Justin Holiday deal, but mortgaged future assets (two second-round picks). Now just months later in the midst of a rebuild, Holiday is a somewhat useless asset, while those departed picks are considerably more crucial.

In building a contender, Memphis must keep both the short and long-term in mind, as their needs straddle both. New Front Office bosses Rich Cho and Glen Grunwald must be self-aware to their roster’s needs, and which the current market best addresses.

They also must be careful not to give up too much (remember the “Be Patient” part). This rebuild will be a journey, and teams that aimlessly acquire talent to supplement stars can find themselves in shaky situations (as the Los Angeles Lakers or Philadelphia 76ers can attest).

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It may seem basic in concept, but by steadily leveling up, Memphis can soon find itself back among the NBA’s proud franchises. They are still seeking their first trip to the NBA Finals, and Toronto — currently enjoying that maiden voyage — could not provide a better blueprint for a small-market team.

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