5 bold predictions for the Memphis Grizzlies free agent class of 2023

No 1. Memphis Grizzlies finally get a fresh face in the fold

If Brooks is traded or leaves in free agency, it’ll create a sizeable hole in the roster. The Grizzlies seem committed to allocating the majority of the team payroll to Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. So, it’s conceivable that the team passes on inking him to a lucrative deal.

It’s a similar situation to what we saw with the Tennessee Titans during this past NFL offseason if you follow professional football. They had AJ Brown, a big-time wide receiver, who wanted a lucrative contract extension. The Titans didn’t think he was worth the asking price and instead traded him and drafted his replacement in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft (Treylon Burks).

So the Grizzlies could trade Dillon Brooks for a couple of prospects or draft picks. They could also look to reload in free agency if they can’t trade him or he chooses not to re-sign at a price point in which the Memphis Grizzlies are comfortable.

So, who are some free agents in 2023 that fit the Grizzlies’ age timeline (age 30 seems to be the line of demarcation) with their core, and who, if signed, might make the team better?

• Khris Middleton, 30 (PO)
• Cameron Johnson, 27 (RFA)
• Andrew Wiggins, 28 (UFA) (may seek a max contract)
• Kyle Kuzma, 27 (PO)
• Kelly Oubre Jr., 27 (UFA)
• Myles Turner, 27 (UFA)
• Josh Hart, 27 (PO)
• Bruce Brown Jr., 26 (PO)
• De’Andre Hunter, 25 (RFA)
• Grant Williams, 24 (RFA)

Of the players listed here, the restricted free agents (RFA) will likely be headed back to their current respective teams. The players are all too young or too valuable to let walk.

The player option (PO) candidates will all probably opt-out and sign lucrative, long-term contracts. You have to think Milwaukee will do everything they can to retain Middleton. Kuzma and Brown Jr. seem like attainable starter-level players for the Grizzlies.

Then there’s the unrestricted free agents (UFA), headlined by Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Myles Turner.

Wiggins will likely be looking for a max-level contract. I don’t know if the Warriors can or will be able to shell out that kind of money for the young veteran. But, should the Grizzlies offer him that kind of money? I don’t think so.

Kelly Oubre Jr. is similar to Dillon Brooks in a lot of ways. I would really only be interested in having him on the team in a sixth-man scoring type of role.

Myles Turner, depending on how he performs this year, will likely have suitors from every corner of the league. Making a pitch that stands out will be tough. But, the idea of pairing him with Jaren jackson Jr. in the starting lineup— two freakishly athletic 7-footers that can block shots and shoot threes may be the kind of player the Memphis Grizzlies should aggressively pursue.

I think a Ja Morant-led pitch and the promise of a stable culture might be inticing enough to get the former Texas Longhorn to committ to the Grizzlies.

Morant, Bane, Williams, Jackson and Turner is a really long and crazy athletic lineup that would be a tough matchup for every single team in the NBA.