Complete 2018 NBA Free Agency primer for OKC Thunder and all 30 teams
Memphis Grizzlies:
Free Agents:
- Mario Chalmers (UFA)
- Tyreke Evans (UFA)
Team Profile and Ranking:
Key Ranking Stats to end season:
- Offense: 27th (101.8)
- Defense: 21st (108.0)
- Net: 27th (minus -6.3)
NBA Power Ranking at 2017-18 season end: 29th
ESPN Power Ranking post playoffs: 23rd
Vegas odds to win 2018-19 title as of June 26: 500 to 1
Committed Salary: $103,259,866.00 as of June 29th
Average attendance: 15,947
Attendance rank: 28th
Arena: FedEX Forum
Management:
General Manager: Chris Wallace – 2007
Head Coach: J. B. Bickerstaff – 2017 took over as interim coach from fired David Fizdale and was made official after season end.
Salary Profile:
The Grizzlies have two flexible contracts via a non-guaranteed $1,544,951 owed to Andrew Harrison and a partially guaranteed contract to Wayne Selden ($1,544,951).
Memphis has an $8.6 mid-level exception and two trade exceptions.
| Sala | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Age | 2018-19 | Signed Using | Guaranteed |
| Mike Conley | 30 | $30,521,115 | Cap Space | $113,989,729 |
| Chandler Parsons | 29 | $24,107,258 | Cap Space | $72,321,773 |
| Marc Gasol | 33 | $24,119,025 | Bird Rights | $46,761,375 |
| JaMychal Green | 28 | $7,866,667 | Bird Rights | $16,400,000 |
| Ben McLemore | 25 | $5,460,000 | MLE | $10,660,000 |
| Jarell Martin | 24 | $2,416,222 | 1st Round pick | $3,887,604 |
| Wayne Selden | 23 | $1,544,951 | $2,085,087 | |
| Deyonta Davis | 21 | $1,544,951 | Cap Space | $2,857,562 |
| Andrew Harrison | 23 | $1,544,951 | Cap Space | $1,312,611 |
| Ivan Rabb | 21 | $1,378,242 | MLE | $2,328,242 |
| Dillon Brooks | 22 | $1,378,242 | MLE | $2,193,857 |
| Rade Zagorac | 22 | $1,378,242 | $2,328,242 | |
| Team Totals | $103,259,866 | $291,007,809 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/27/2018.
Draft 2018:
Round 1:
With the 4th pick, the Grizzlies selected Michigan State forward/center, Jaren Jackson
Rookie Profile: Prospect Jaren Jackson Jr. – The quintessential modern big
Round 2:
With the 32nd pick, the Grizzlies selected West Virginia guard Jevon Carter
Rookie Profile: Jevon Carter is a potential backup point guard for Thunder to target
Free Agency – Offseason Mandate:
Not that it’s ever wise to bet against the Grizzlies being competitive I still can’t help but feel this squad has witnessed their apex with Conley and Gasol. Sure, they’ll start the season on fire — but then what?
Memphis are over the cap and arguably haven’t had anything but bad luck since signing the every unplayable Chandler Parsons.
Push has come to shove and it’s time to rebuild in my humble opinion. I say this still feeling Mike Conley is an extremely talented point guard who changes pace better than any of his counterparts and has demonstrated the ability to deliver under the lights. The question is his durability and whether the Grizzlies can afford another season of Conley and Gasol.
Memphis is an amazing fanbase which even in a season like 2017-18 still loudly supported their squad. My direction would be rip off the band-aid and if you can get something for Gasol or Conley do it now.
Outside of that expect the Grizzlies to prioritize re-signing Evans.