3 Questions that will shape the Grizzlies 2023 offseason

For the first time since the dreaded 2017-2018 season that saw the Memphis Grizzlies finish near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the 2022-2023 Grizzlies failed to improve upon the previous season’s success. Despite finishing second overall in the West, the Grizzlies won five fewer regular season games, failed to win a playoff series, and arguably displayed cracks in a previously enviable team culture.

With topics such as Ja Morant’s alleged repeated off-the-court issues and impending 25-game suspension, as well as Dillon Brooks’ numerous soundbite-worthy quotes and on-court antics, all these negative storylines have dominated headlines throughout the second half of the season.

Despite this, the 2023-2024 Memphis Grizzlies remain firmly in the discussion for potential contenders to come out of the Western Conference and compete for an NBA championship. The near-continuous development of the franchise from the top down for the past half-decade has produced great players, great teams, and now, great expectations.

However, the 2023 off-season has the potential to make next season’s Western Conference one of the toughest in recent memory. Franchise-altering prospects like Victor Wembanyama are projected to head to division rivals in next week’s NBA Draft, star players like Bradley Beal migrating westward, and the seemingly never-ending arms race to acquire talent heating up once again has the potential to dictate the fate of the west for years to come.

The Grizzlies have the assets and the ability to fine-tune the roster to compete with the best of the West, but how they approach these 3 questions has the potential to dictate both the success of the 2023-2024 season, and possibly beyond. And like many things, perhaps it is best to start at the top and work our way down.