The Grizzlies failed to make noise in a wide-open Western Conference this season. Will another disappointing season push the front office to start being aggressive?
Many analysts predicted it, but Grizzlies fans didn’t want to believe it. Their 4-2 series loss to the LA Lakers was filled with drama, bad offense, and plenty of jokes at the expense of Memphis. Much of the negativity surrounding the Grizzlies in this series was brought upon themselves. Between the tiresome “fine in the West” discourse and Dillon Brooks running his mouth for whatever reason, the fact that they are being laughed at should be no surprise.
Despite all of that, this series still boiled down to a lack of execution on the court. Not only did the Grizzlies become the first 2-seed to lose in the first round since 2010, but they barely put up a fight in game six to keep their season alive. They lost 125-85, an ironic margin of 40 considering Dillon Brooks’s comment early in the series about “not respecting anybody until they give me 40”. This team as it is currently built may be able to finish as a top seed, but there is a reason they haven’t been taken seriously as a contender. It’s time for some changes this offseason.
Grizzlies are saying goodbye to Dillon Brooks
Dillon Brooks wasn’t always the ire of many Grizzlies fans, but his play in this series and in his contract season has soured opinions of him. He was once a fan favorite for his tenacity and unabashed confidence. He was a reminder for many of the “Grit & Grind” era of Grizzlies basketball. Now, all most can think of is his trash talk toward LeBron James that had no merit.
Brooks is entitled to say whatever he likes, but his inability to back up his words with his game seems to be the final nail in the coffin for his Grizzlies career. Trade rumors regarding two-way wings were already swirling at the deadline this year. I expect that the Grizzlies front office will restart those talks this offseason now that they have all but announced his departure.
The Memphis Grizzlies have informed pending free agent Dillon Brooks that he will not be brought back under any circumstances, league sources say.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 2, 2023
Full story and details at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/CRztYTgYi7
Brooks can still be an asset to a winning team, but he must adjust his play style if he wants to be one. He takes too many bad shots, and shots in general if we are being honest. He must choose his words more carefully and set an example on the court, not in the postgame interviews. If he can do that, he can have success elsewhere. But his time in Memphis seems rightfully over.
It is time for Grizzlies front office to get aggressive
It has been talked about ad nauseam, but the Grizzlies front office has done a brilliant job rebuilding the team primarily through the draft. Their three best players, Jaren Jackson Jr, Ja Morant, and Desmond Bane were all drafted by the team. Other contributors like Brandon Clarke, Santi Aldama, and Zaire Williams were also drafted by this front office. As great a job as they have done, it hasn’t been enough to get them over the hump.
They have made big outside acquisitions like Tyus Jones and Steven Adams, but neither has moved the needle enough. Adams being healthy in the Lakers series may have changed the outcome, but would it have been enough to lead them to a title? Unlikely. This team needs a true difference-maker next to their other perimeter players, and luckily there are a few who could be on the market.
They sniffed around both Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby at the deadline this year, so they clearly have an interest in a wing defender. Bridges likely played himself into untouchable status after joining the Nets, but Anunoby should be available. Nick Nurse was let go by the Raptors after a disappointing season, and it seems like they will try and collect assets for a rebuild. It may take giving up multiple picks, but it is time for the Grizzlies to go for it.