The Memphis Grizzlies' offseason was handled with a clear direction in mind within the organization, although many outsiders didn't understand it. They made it clear that Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are the franchise cornerstones, and they will go as far as they can take them. Will that gamble pay off?
That is the question for a team that spent the majority of last season as a top-three team in the Western Conference before falling into the play-in tournament. Trading one of their best players in Desmond Bane, has made many pause on generating huge expectations for the upcoming season, but the potential of some of their young players raises the floor of the team.
The Grizzlies' path to championship contention is laid out for them
Grits and Grinds podcast host Keith Parish joined The Athletic NBA Daily show to talk Grizzlies' outlook and mentioned the team doesn't have the top-end talent to compete with the upper echelon of the Western Conference teams. Ja Morant is a superstar talent, but injuries have affected his performance over the last couple of seasons, creating doubt in how far he can carry them.
Jaren Jackson Jr. has developed into a top-level multi-time NBA All-Star, but has had playoff shortcomings throughout his seven-year career. Without Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies are missing a clear third guy who could match up with the other big threes the West has, like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets.
However, the Indiana Pacers showed last season that a big two model surrounded by the good rotational players who play their role can take the Thunder to the seventh game in a series. The Grizzlies formed their roster to fit that mold after being swept by that same Thunder team in the first round of the playoffs last season with their former big three.
Electing to add contributing players like Ty Jerome and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, re-signing Santi Aldama, and drafting a high-upside wing in Cedric Coward is what the team is banking on to bring them to the promised land. They also have the trade pieces from the draft capital received in the trading of Desmond Bane to seek another high-level player if they so choose.
Memphis may not be a championship contender coming into the next regular season, but they have a roster capable of competing with the best the West has to offer, and can see themselves near the top again if things break right for them.