The Grizzlies have been a mainstay in the Western Conference playoffs for the last seven seasons, but their hold on one of those top eight seeds has gotten a little more precarious within the past couple years. After posting a .629 winning percentage over the course of those first five seasons, the Grizzlies have won just 42 and 43 games, claiming the No. 7 spot in the West for two consecutive years.
The Grizzlies’ roster also looks quite different now than it did during most of that stretch. Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, the key pieces of Memphis’ core, are still in the picture, but grit-and-grind mainstays like Zach Randolph and Tony Allen signed elsewhere this offseason.
Memphis has worked to replace its veterans with younger, more dynamic players, but injuries have been a major issue. After he signed a maximum salary deal with the Grizzlies last summer, Chandler Parsons saw his first season with the franchise derailed by health problems. And this offseason’s most notable free agent addition – Ben McLemore – already sustained a foot injury expected to sideline him into the regular season.
As long as Conley and Gasol stay healthy, there’s little chance of the Grizzlies bottoming out entirely, but the battle for playoff spots will be fiercer than ever in the Western Conference this summer — teams like the Trail Blazers, Nuggets, Pelicans, and Timberwolves will all be looking to leapfrog Memphis in the standings, while higher seeds like the Rockets and Thunder got even better. If the Grizzlies don’t get much out of guys like Parsons, McLemore, and Tyreke Evans, missing the postseason is a real possibility.
Oddsmakers expect the Grizzlies to continue to slip in the standings this season, with offshore betting site Bovada projecting their over/under to be just 37.5 wins.
What do you think? Are the Grizzlies poised to endure their first sub-.500 finish since 2009/10, or is there still enough talent on the roster for Memphis to be a playoff contender once again in 2017/18? Vote below and jump into the comment section to share your thoughts!
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Previous over/under voting results:
- Golden State Warriors: Over 67.5 (53.57%)
- Boston Celtics: Over 55.5 (63.5%)
- Houston Rockets: Over 55.5 (65.57%)
- San Antonio Spurs: Over 54.5 (67.74%)
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Over 53.5 (68.82%)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Over 50.5 (71.77%)
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Over 48.5 (55.69%)
- Toronto Raptors: Over 48.5 (64.21%)
- Washington Wizards: Over 47.5 (71.29%)
- Milwaukee Bucks: Over 47.5 (63.88%)
- Denver Nuggets: Under 45.5 (50.44%)
- Los Angeles Clippers: Over 43.5 (60.7%)
- Miami Heat: Over 43.5 (55.39%)
- Charlotte Hornets: Over 42.5 (51.07%)
- Portland Trail Blazers: Over 42.5 (56.3%)
- Philadelphia 76ers: Under 41.5 (53.37%)
- Utah Jazz: Over 41.5 (55.94%)
- New Orleans Pelicans: Over 39.5 (65.26%)
- Detroit Pistons: Over 38.5 (51.95%)
The only thing Chandler Parsons is good for is cashing checks.
Westbrook signed his extension
I think the next marquee player to be named on the trade block will be Mike Conley. Both him and Gasol are getting old and have no time to contend in the west. I can see the Grizzlies being the next team to enter the lottery sweepstakes in the near future. I can see Conley being linked to the Nuggets, Bucks, or even the Clippers since these are the teams that need PG’s
Conley has a weighty contract– he would not be easy to move.
The summary did not mention Jam.Green at the 4.
If im memphis i trade either conley or gasol, gasol would be easier to trade, but if im them i try ti get something for them before they are too old or dont resign, boston would prob give a good deal for gasol